Asthma camps seek volunteers
Registration is also open for children with mild to severe asthma
The American Lung Association of Hawaii is seeking participants and volunteers for its 2006 three-day Asthma Sports Day Camps. About 155 children ages 5 to 12 will participate in sports and recreational activities at the camps while learning how to manage their asthmatic condition.
Brenda Mahuka, program associate-asthma for the association, said 250 volunteers are needed statewide to assist with the camps, including medical specialists such as doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and pharmacists.
People also are needed to act as counselors and educators, to oversee sporting events, and to help with registration and other logistical jobs, she said.
"There's plenty to do, but it's worth the effort," Mahuka said. "It's very enjoyable working with the young people and helping them gain confidence in their own ability to live with asthma."
Every participant will receive a camp T-shirt and diploma. Camps are scheduled for:
» Big Island, July 7-9, University of Hawaii-Hilo.
» Oahu, July 14-16 at McCoy Pavilion, Ala Moana Beach Park.
» Kauai, July 21-23, Kauai Community College.
The Maui camp was held June 23 to 25.
Registration will close June 30 for the Oahu camp and one week before each of the neighbor island camps.
Children with mild to severe asthma are encouraged to attend. Activities will include tennis, baseball, soccer and other sports, Hawaiian culture and games, and arts and crafts. Excursions also are planned at some camps.
Families may register children at the Lung Association office on each island. More information is available by calling 537-5966, ext. 307 on Oahu; 935-1206 in Hilo; and 245-4142 on Kauai.
A $25 registration fee covers all activities, lunches, refreshments and gifts. Financial assistance is available.
Sponsors of the 2006 camps include the Building Industry Labor Association, Bainum Foundation, Alexander and Baldwin Foundation, 7-Eleven Hawaii, Kauai Island Utility Corp., Laura Rowe Burdick Foundation, Safeway Foundation, Sepracor, Wal-Mart, Weinberg Foundation, Young Brothers Kauai and Young Brothers Big Island.
This is the eighth year of the Asthma Sports Day Camps.