Amarildo Hysa
Research Mentor: J.J. Lewis
Mentor Department: North Star Reach, NonUM
Author(s): Amarildo Hysa, J.J. Lewis
Session: Session 3 (11:00 AM – 11:50 AM)
Presentation Type: Poster 41
Abstract
Many kids with serious illnesses cannot go to regular camps or join normal childhood activities because of their medical needs. This often makes them feel isolated and left out from friends and fun experiences. North Star Reach helps solve this by giving them a safe, supportive place to have fun, build confidence, and connect with others just like them. Our research is trying to find out how camps like North Star Reach help kids with serious illnesses feel happier, more confident, and less alone. The goal is to see how camp experiences can improve their emotional and social well-being. We are consistently implementing survey methods and interviews with campers and their families to learn about their experiences at North Star Reach. The surveys ask questions about how camp affected their confidence, friendships, and ability to manage their health. We hope to find that attending North Star Reach helps children with serious illnesses feel more confident, independent, and connected to others. The main social benefit of this research is that it helps improve the lives of children with serious illnesses by showing how programs like North Star Reach support their growth and happiness. The research can help other camps, hospitals, and community programs learn better ways to support kids with medical needs. Overall, it benefits society by promoting inclusion, kindness, and understanding for children facing health challenges. These future findings might suggest that programs like this can make a lasting difference in the lives of children facing medical challenges.
