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June 18, 2008

Camp Wikidas: Wisconsin’s Only Camp for Kids with Asthma

Spend Summer Camp with Dean Physicians & Staff

“I have more confidence and I meet a lot of new friends…I learn about asthma triggers, belly breathing and how to deal with my asthma." - Lynsey, age 10

Camp WIKIDAS is a weeklong summer camp for kids ages 8 through 13 with moderate to severe asthma. Camp takes place at Camp Wawbeek, a 400-acre site one mile northeast of the Wisconsin Dells in Columbia County.

Dean Allergy Department Chair & Camp Wikidas Founder J. Brent Kooistra, MD organized the annual event as a special summer retreat in 1982. In its 27th year, “Doc Kootie” has seen more than 1,500 kids attend the camp in partnership with the American Lung Association. Children on daily asthma medication participate in swimming, rope and rock climbing, canoeing, hiking and other fun and challenging activities. Campers also attend instructional sessions where they learn how to manage their asthma in daily life. They forge relationships with children like themselves, realizing that other kids struggle with asthma, too.

Medical staff members are on-hand throughout the camp, including physician allergists, registered and practical nurses, respiratory therapists and pharmacists. These dedicated health care professionals supervise the daily administration of medications and provide 24-hour medical care for the campers.

Dr. Kooistra is happy to speak with the media and arrange interviews for you with youth camp participants. This year, Camp Wikidas runs from June 22-27, 2008. The best time to attend is late morning or early afternoon on Monday, June 23rd; Tuesday the 24th; and Thursday the 26th. To arrange in advance, please contact Dean Health System Communications Manager Melissa Wollering at (608) 250-1504. Camp Wikidas is located at N9888 Hwy 13 in Wisconsin Dells, WI. Click here for a map to the camp.