Exploring how medical specialty camps may foster PCEs for children and youth with special healthcare needs
In partnership with SeriousFun, the HOPE National Resource Center will explore how medical specialty camps may foster positive childhood experiences (PCEs) for children and youth with special healthcare needs by examining whether and how camp participation supports the Four Building Blocks of HOPE, or key types of PCEs as outlined in the HOPE framework: relationships, environment, engagement, and emotional growth. While prior research shows that medical specialty camps offer meaningful benefits, such as promoting wellbeing, hope, belonging, and self-confidence, these experiences have not yet been explicitly framed as PCEs or studied as potential protective factors against Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) linked to serious illness. Using surveys and interviews with campers ages 12–17 across multiple SeriousFun camps, this study will identify which PCEs are most strongly enhanced through camp, and which specific camp features contribute to these outcomes. Findings will help clarify the unique value of medical specialty camps, inform best practices for serving children and families with complex health needs, and strengthen the evidence base needed to support access, funding, and long-term investment in high-quality camp experiences.
Research Project Information
Project Name
Positive childhood experiences at medical specialty camps
HOPE Contributors
Dina Burstein, MD, MPH, principal investigator
Robert Sege, MD, PhD, FAAP, co-investigator
Amie Myrick, MS, LCPC, co-investigator
Kelsey Hannan, research assistant
Collaborators
SeriousFun
Ann Gillard PhD, co-investigator
Funders
Project Dates
September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026
Keywords
positive childhood experiences (PCEs), HOPE framework, Four Building Blocks of HOPE, protective factors, children with special healthcare needs, medical specialty camps Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
