Camps for Children with Muscular Dystrophy

A Rosie Place for Children provides respite care for children across all 92 counties in the state of Indiana. Nestled on five beautiful acres in South Bend, Indiana, our facility offers a welcoming environment that is perfect for children with various needs, including those attending adaptive camp programs and Duchenne muscular dystrophy camps.

Our accommodations feature six unique, kid-friendly bedrooms that the children love to call their own. The warm, spacious, and colorful home is enhanced with nature-inspired themes. Exciting features like the saltwater aquarium, vibrant murals, and an outdoor pond with a waterfall are favorites among the children. Families choose our respite care service for many reasons, and our dedicated staff understands the importance of continuity in each child’s care while also respecting the caregiver's role at home. Each child undergoes a thorough assessment by one of our registered nurses to guarantee quality care and comfort.

It’s clear that A Rosie Place is truly unique; we creatively approach care for our children and their families. Each of our six distinct bedrooms offers a different nature-inspired atmosphere, including options like Desert Dreams, Sunny Meadow, Jungle Playground, Moonscape Mountain, The Harbor, or Barefoot Beach. Guests also have access to three specially equipped bathrooms (the Pond, the Waterfall, and the River), which cater to a variety of abilities and needs. In our common areas, children and staff enjoy gathering in Grand Park (the living room) and Nibbling Nook (the kitchen). Together, we share meals and engage in fun activities!

The mission of Camp Promise is to provide a barrier-free, week-long, overnight camp for kids, teens, and adults with muscular dystrophy or select neuromuscular diseases—including those affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy—regardless of age, capability, or ability to pay.

Our camper-focused programming includes adaptive camp programs that build independence, confidence, and life skills through traditional camp activities, while introducing campers to new experiences using adaptation, technology, creativity, and special guests.

We are a welcoming community where campers learn from and support each other, fostering new and lasting friendships that extend beyond camp. Additionally, we understand the importance of respite care for children, which is why we are committed to providing Camp Promise in a professional, safe, and respectful environment. Our leadership team, trained volunteers, and licensed medical staff are dedicated to supporting the needs of each and every camper.

We welcome participants ages 6 years and older, with no upper age limit!

Camp Riley empowers children with physical and cognitive diagnoses through adaptive camp programs that provide life-changing experiences tailored to their individual needs. These specialized experiences enable campers to shatter perceived limitations, make new friends, and achieve new heights, all while participating in a supportive environment. Children with conditions such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy can find a community at our camp, returning home with an increased sense of independence and confidence. Additionally, we offer respite care for children, ensuring that families can rely on our dedicated support. Located at Bradford Woods in Martinsville, Indiana.

CCK hosts adaptive camp programs and family camp retreat weekends that bring together children with similar conditions, fostering connection and a sense of belonging. One of these sessions includes a Duchenne muscular dystrophy camp in October. In a world where these children are often told they cannot, at CCK they can. Our campers enjoy every activity and event with no limitations or restrictions because the camping facility is fully accessible, providing much-needed respite care for children.

The Double H Ranch, co-founded by Charles R. Wood and Paul Newman, offers specialized adaptive camp programs and year-round support for children and their families facing life-threatening illnesses, including those related to Duchenne muscular dystrophy. All programs are provided FREE of charge and embrace the magic of the Adirondacks, making it an ideal place for respite care for children. Located in Lake Luzerne, New York.

We will offer eight weeks of adaptive camp programs for ages 11-21 and one week of camping for adults over the age of 21, including specialized Duchenne muscular dystrophy camps that also provide respite care for children.

Flying Horse Farms, located in Ohio, is a special place where children with serious illnesses can heal, grow, and thrive without limits. The camp offers adaptive camp programs for children ages 7 - 15, including specific options for those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, as well as respite care for children and their family members.

MDA strives for every camp session to provide a true camp experience through its adaptive camp programs, which connect kids with the outdoors, develop life skills, and build lifelong friendships. At MDA Summer Camp, children gain independence as they spend time away from home and learn to accept personal care from someone other than their parents. This experience helps them develop greater self-esteem and confidence while spending time with peers who understand what it’s like to live with conditions such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Each camp includes dedicated volunteer health professionals and trained camp volunteers who meet every child’s medical and physical needs, allowing for effective respite care for children. This comprehensive support team handles all aspects of camper care, including physical and emotional support, providing parents with valuable respite. Camp is available for kids ages 7 to 17 who have been diagnosed with a type of neuromuscular disease. Families interested in having their child attend can apply for either one in-person camp session or one virtual camp session.

From adaptive camp programs and alpine skiing to adaptive horseback riding, rafting, and adventure trips, there are countless opportunities for individuals of all abilities, including those attending Duchenne muscular dystrophy camps, to participate, explore, and thrive, while also benefiting from respite care for children.

One Rare was founded in 2019 by a mother and her adult son living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The goal is to provide resources and opportunities that would improve the lives and futures of young adults, aged 18-35, living with rare disease, through education, mentoring, recreation, and peer support, including adaptive camp programs tailored for their unique needs.

While there are many supportive programs for families and children impacted by rare diseases, such as respite care for children, teens and young adults often age out of these programs when they need them the most. One Rare strives to provide relevant resources and opportunities for this community, ranging from guidance on transitioning to adulthood to physical, mental, and emotional self-care, networking, and navigating social interactions, along with developing professional skills, understanding today’s healthcare systems, personal and patient advocacy, and fostering the pursuit of happiness through mindful recreation and creative expression, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy camps that cater specifically to their experiences.

More than 30 years ago, Paul Newman established a free camp where kids could escape the fear and isolation associated with their medical conditions and, in his words, “raise a little hell.” This remarkable concept ignited a quiet movement, leading to the launch of a global network of adaptive camp programs. Today, there are 30 camps and initiatives worldwide dedicated to supporting children and families in need. Their mission is to empower children with serious illnesses, including those affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and their families to reimagine what is possible by creating inclusive camp and recreational experiences that inspire confidence, joy, and community connection.  

SeriousFun provides children living with serious illnesses a spectacular camp experience along with high-quality medical care, all within the safest and most supportive environment. For these children, it’s all about high-flying, friendship-building, memory-making fun!  

Camp Locations:  

Ethiopia, Ireland, United States (Connecticut, New York, Florida, Michigan, California, Ohio, North Carolina, Colorado, and Washington), Hungary, Vietnam, Italy, South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Israel, Haiti, Cambodia, France, United Kingdom, India, Tanzania, Uganda, Eswatini, and Japan. Additionally, their programs include respite care for children to further support families in their journey.