1. What is the goal of the IBD Summer Camp?

We wanted to provide children with IBD an opportunity to relax and have fun with kids their age, without having to worry about social acceptance. At the IBD Camp, kids find themselves in company of other kids with IBD, counselors with IBD, and a medical staff that specializes in IBD. The IBD Camp has been a memorable and life-changing event in kids' lives - prompting most of them to return every year.

2. Who can attend?

Camp Gut Busters is for children and adolescents who have IBD (Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis). Campers have to be age 7-16; Counselors-in-Training age 17; and Counselors age 18 and over. Everyone under age 18 must have permission from his/her physician to attend the camp. The permission form is part of the application packet.

While many of our campers and volunteer counselors are from the San Francisco Bay Area, others come from all over the country. Camp and all associated activites are free to everyone who attends.

3. Where is the camp located?

Camp Gut Busters is set amid rolling Oak-studded hills at Camp Arroyo in Livermore, California. Camp Arroyo is a beautiful, modern facility managed by the Taylor Family Foundation. Please see the Camp Arroyo page for address, map and directions.

4. Will my child be able to call or write to me from the camp?

The idea behind the camp is to give a new environment to kids where they can relate to other kids with IBD and have fun. We generally discourage visits or call from parents during the camp week. But we do encourage kids to write to their parents - we can either mail or fax these letters to parents on a daily basis.

5. What if my child needs medical care at the camp?

Our on-site medical team is available to care for campers 24-hours a day. Additionally, emotional and social support is provided by our well trained counselors, most of whom have IBD themselves.

Kids will need to bring all of their medications with them. Our medical staff will properly store medications and administer them to campers per the required schedule. Our medical facility is also stocked with OTC medicines that may be needed for minor cuts, colds, and aches.

6. How much does the IBD Camp cost?

The IBD Summer Camp Foundation and the Taylor Family Foundation work together to make sure that camp is FREE OF CHARGE for all campers.