“The UPMC nurses and doctors on staff at Camp Inspire have been integral in helping my son experience all the fun of summer camp.”
Nestled on 52 acres in the North Hills of Pittsburgh lies The Woodlands, a scenic private wooded property with a pool, lodge, camping area, amphitheater, and more.
Every summer since 2013, the nonprofit has hosted Camp Inspire, a weeklong camp for children and teens with tracheostomies, ventilators, BiPAP machines, and other complex medical conditions.
The camp, which is free to campers and their families, is a collaboration between The Woodlands and UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. Jason Endinger, DO, clinical director of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine at UPMC Children’s, co-founded the camp and serves as its medical director.
“My job is all about helping kids make sure they have the resources to be as independent as possible or making it easier for their family or caregivers to take care of them,” Dr. Endinger says.
Dr. Endinger, along with respiratory therapists, nurses, physicians, and other medical professionals from UPMC Children’s, are on site 24 hours a day during the six-day, five-night camp. That’s in addition to all the counselors and other volunteers dedicated to making sure camp participants have a fun week.
“We all mesh together to put the week together,” says Hilary Barker, a registered respiratory therapist. “It’s a big job, but it’s a great job.”
Activities include everything from archery, swimming, ziplining, arts and crafts, a carnival, a talent show, and even a hot air balloon. Kristen Link, senior director of operations at The Woodlands, says the goal is not only to make participants feel safe but also to make them feel celebrated.
“Every day, I get to see the benefit of the work we’re doing and get to really know that our mission is making a difference,” she says.
For many participants, like Noah Robbins, Camp Inspire marks their favorite week of the year. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with friends from previous years and make new ones.
Most importantly, it’s about having fun.
“People at Camp Inspire are very nice and kind because they care about kids,” Noah says.
Noah was born with a specific type of arthrogryposis known as Escobar syndrome, which affects his joints, spine, and respiratory system.
His mom, Michaela, describes her son as gregarious, fun-loving, articulate, and into all the typical things a boy his age enjoys. His wit is just as fiery as his red hair, and he’s quick to flash a mischievous smile as he tells one of his favorite jokes.
They discovered The Woodlands through an adaptive golf program Noah attended one summer. From there, they found Camp Inspire, “which snowballed into something really beautiful, not only for Noah, but our family as well,” Michaela says.
Since then, Noah’s been a regular at Camp Inspire for several years. Michaela says he’ll be the first to tell anyone how special it is to be part of a community with others who are living similar experiences.
Unlike daily life, where parents of children with complex medical conditions might have to navigate different challenges, camp organizers strive to eliminate any potential barriers.
“It’s truly such a joy to watch him be in an environment where there are no roadblocks,” Michaela says. “As a parent, what more could I want? I just want him to be Noah in the world.”
Any parent might be anxious about dropping off their child at camp, especially for the first time. But knowing Camp Inspire is staffed with respiratory experts, including some who have known Noah since he was a baby, quickly put Michaela and her husband’s minds at ease.
Now, they drop off Noah, and after a quick goodbye, he’s off for a week of fun with his friends. It also allows his parents the opportunity to relax, recharge, and enjoy time for themselves.
“You have a level of trust with these people to be able to handle anything,” Michaela says. “These are really skilled people at what they do. Not all medical professionals are the same. The ones at Camp Inspire are top-notch.”
Michaela describes the support UPMC Children’s provides to Camp Inspire families as “invaluable.” She can’t think of anywhere else where she’d be able to send Noah for a weeklong camp.
“What a joyful childhood experience that he otherwise wouldn’t have access to,” Michaela says. “It literally gives me goosebumps. I can't tell you how much he looks forward to that week every single year. It means everything.”
She says numerous people throughout UPMC have been part of Noah’s journey since the beginning. When Noah’s pediatrician retired, he recalled knowing him since he was a baby, and he even got emotional during their last visit.
“There were lots of people watching out for Noah in the UPMC world,” Michaela says. “It was so touching to see. Their bond was so cool. There are lots of people at UPMC who did that for us.”
She encourages parents of children with similar medical conditions to check out Camp Inspire and join a fun and supportive community.
“The fact that this camp exists is a real treasure,” Michaela says.
At UPMC, Life Changing Medicine means supporting opportunities that let children with disabilities and chronic illnesses just be kids.
To learn more about current programs and donation opportunities at The Woodlands, visit their website.
CBS News Pittsburgh: Summer camp lets kids with special medical needs "spread their wings."
