The Youth Rally

SessionFor over 25 years the Youth Rally has been a place for adolescents with ostomies and continent diversions, or who are preparing for surgery, to come together and meet other young people who deal with similar life experiences.

The Youth Rally can have a profound impact on a young person's life, taking in young people at many ages, at varying stages of social development, with the hope of producing confident young adults who are able to live independently despite any potential medical obstacles. The youngest age for new campers is 11, and at 17 campers graduate in a special ceremony during the themed dance on the last night of camp.

The Youth Rally is staffed by a dedicated group of counselors and WOC nurses who are at least 20 years of age. Counselors In Training (CITs) make up a small group of younger, first-time counselors who benefit from observing established counselors and their interactions with campers. Many of the counselors and CITs were once campers themselves, and this adds to the already strong bond of understanding developed from the similar medical, personal, and social differences and experiences they share.

Each year, the Youth Rally is held at a different site from the previous year, rotating through an established pattern of campuses that has developed over the years. The Youth Rally selects campuses and regions that best suit the needs for the camp, such as proximity to a hospital, a large airport, an amusement park or other local attraction, and the necessary campus facilities. Camp attendees get to experience a taste of college campus life, living in same-gendered, roommate pairs for the five days, experiencing residential dining, and experiencing some of the independence of student life. Learn more about the different Youth Rally locations.

Educational and discussion sessions are at the formal learning core of camp. These sessions focus on specific issues that campers may face, including self-esteem issues, fitting in at school, medical issues, and the psychological effects of dealing with personal differences and medical diagnoses. By breaking into various discussion groups, by diagnosis, age, and gender, campers are able to have their specific questions answered, receive focused attention to their specialized needs and concerns, and, above all, campers are able to hear other stories, from both other campers and counselors, about confronting and dealing with adversity.

Opening NightThese rap sessions provide one of many opportunities for campers to realize that they are not alone, that others their age are going through exactly what they are going through, and that they have people they can turn to for help, support, and answers.

In addition to the rap sessions, other large group learning sessions are directed at every camper in attendance. Motivational speakers inspire the campers and encourage them to strive for their dreams and overcome adversity. The staff will often facilitate other sessions that are both entertaining and educational, such as skits and game shows, to address the difficulty of being different and any self esteem issues that might come along with that struggle.

One of the most popular camp events is the day trip, usually to the local theme park, or, when in sunny San Diego, to the beach. It is a chance for the campers to have some independent fun and go off on some new adventures.

To cap it all off, the camp closes with a dance and graduation. It is a time for fun, reflection, and tears, as the camp recognizes the graduating campers and provides finality to the five whirlwind days of the Youth Rally.

Over the course of the Youth Rally countless bonds are made between the campers, as well as between the campers and counselors. These bonds stand as healthy, positive connections that help to further develop campers’ sense of growth, independence, confidence, and learning while at camp, as well as after camp ends.

The friendships, knowledge, and experience gained from camp endure with each camper even after the last day of camp. From the plane ride home, through the remainder of summer, all the way until the first day of camp the following year, campers, and counselors alike, seem to build on their experiences, eagerly anticipating reuniting with their friends at next year’s camp. The lessons, friendships, confidence, independence and support systems found at the Youth Rally grow into a strong, healthy, life-lasting experience.



Youth Rally 2008

SDSUThe Youth Rally in 2008 will once again take place at San Diego State University, the home of the Aztecs. It is close to the airport, and we will once again be able to spend a day at the beach and local amusement park.

Dates

July 12-17

Registration Information

  • $425.00 registration
  • Covers room, board, transportation to and from airport, related activities costs

Transportation Information

  • Amount dependent on geographical location

Campers

Who Can Be a Camper

Children ages 11-17 with bladder or bowel dysfunction are eligible to attend the Youth Rally. Examples of procedures or surgeries may include:

  • Ileostomy
  • Colostomy
  • Urostomy
  • Ace/Malone (Appendicostomy)
  • Self Catheterization
  • Bowel Management
  • J-Pouch or other continent diversion

CampersChildren ages 11-17 with bladder or bowel dysfunction (examples may include: ileostomy, colostomy, urostomy, inflammatory bowel disease, use self catheterization, or bowel management, have incontinence or have a continent diversion) are eligible to attend the Rally. We have found that 90% of the campers that attend one Rally will return to attend another one. This camp is like no other in that the sole purpose is to let children know that they are not alone. The comment that we hear most often from the campers is "I never thought there was anyone else out there with my problems!"

What Does the Youth Rally Provide?

In addition to the personal and social value of the Youth Rally, the camp is designed to be fun! The Rally’s five days are filled with various activities, skits, discussion groups, and day trips. Activities include:

  • Educational sessions on personal hygiene, sexuality, self-esteem, self care
  • Formal and informal discussion groups
  • Entertaining programs such as talent shows and casino night
  • Swimming, softball, volleyball, skating, and other sports
  • Dances, picnics, crafts, sightseeing, hiking, outings and other activities
  • Peer support and sharing
  • Ordering pizza to dorm rooms, and other activities that promote independence

The Youth Rally is now accepting camper applications for the 2008 Youth Rally. To apply, please visit the Camper Application page.

Check out the January 2007 Camper Newsletter

Parents

The Youth Rally is a safe environment where your child can feel welcome and comfortable. The location of the Rally is chosen so that its campers will be safe, near medical assistance, if necessary, and will feel truly relaxed in their environment.

The Youth Rally Committee and staff take every action, beginning with pick up at the airport, to the camp location, to each activity, until each child is safely in their parent’s car or on their flight home, with the health and safety of the campers always first. The YRC plans every detail of the camp with the unique needs of each camper in mind, including physical, mental, and social health. They accomplish that with superb hand-picked staff, which includes well-qualified WOC nurses, with a ratio of around one nurse for every ten campers.

Parents of potential Youth Rally attendees have experienced more trauma, worry and concern about the health and happiness of their child than any parent should ever have to endure. The health and medical histories of children with bowel and bladder dysfunction often, and understandably, make it difficult for their parents to accept growing levels of independence as they enter adolescence. The YRC, which includes parents of current and former campers, understands that it is not easy for parents to decide to send their children away for nearly a week with so many health issues and concerns in mind. With this understanding, the YRC also promotes the idea that, as scary and difficult as it might be, allowing your child to attend camp could be the single most important decision you make in terms of your child’s independence, personal and social development, and happiness.

In many ways the Youth Rally is the perfect bridge for the transition from “child” to “young adult,” but this does not mean that is easy for any parent to watch their child become more and more a part of the real, fast-paced, and scary, adult world.

Many parents of first time, as well as returning, campers have some level of difficulty with the idea of sending their child, or children, all the way across the country on their own. But, ultimately, the Youth Rally is a healthy and important step for both the campers, as well as for their parents.

Holding on to your child, and trying to keeping him or her safe, as you have done for so many years, is easy, but letting go, by way of watching your child grow into an adult and experience the ups and downs of life, is hard. The Youth Rally attempts to make that transition easier for both parents and children, as this initial separation can be very difficult (for children, as well as parents).

The Youth Rally creates an informal, independent-feeling atmosphere that is at once comfortable for parents, and fun, new and exciting for children. Once your child is settled in to camp, he or she is asked to contact a parent or guardian back home to let them know they arrived safely. If a camper does not have a cell phone the Youth Rally staff provides either cell phones or calling cards to ensure that every parent and guardian is contacted. Though your child may be many miles away, we want them to feel at home and stay connected with their loved ones. In addition, the YRC trains and informs staff members about any relevant information and updates for two days prior to each camp, and each camper’s specific, individual needs and concerns are taken into consideration. All of these rules, policies, and procedures are in place to make your child feel safe and happy, as well as to ease your mind when the difficult decision to send your child across the country arises.

For any other questions and more specific information, including support networks for parents of children with bowel and bladder dysfunction, please contact the YRC.