Camp Winning Hands is both a resource for parents and a place for kids with congenital upper limb differences to be just kids.
For children and teens, Camp Winning Hands is an overnight camping experience and an opportunity to play and explore in a safe, supportive environment. Children attending Camp Winning Hands experience opportunities to challenge themselves and have new adventures in a safe setting where differences seem less special, less limiting, and less important.
For parents, Camp Winning Hands provides a link to a wider network of families that include children with hand/limb differences. Camp Winning Hands is also an opportunity for parents to be a resource to new parents of children with hand/limb differences and to reinforce the bonds created with camp-families throughout the years.
Three to four days full of fun give children and teens the chance to connect, play, and talk with one another. The camp experience fosters strong bonds between children. Activities include archery, rock climbing, sports, arts & crafts, swimming, games and more.
Camp Winning Hands is held at Camp Arroyo, which is located in Livermore, CA. Our Kids Camp is for children from 7 to 11 years of age. Teen Camp serves teens 12- 17 years of age. Each camp is staffed with professionals and volunteers from UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California, and Samuel Merritt University (SMU). Additionally, many counselors also have hand differences and serve as mentors for campers.
"Our volunteers help by creating a supportive and encouraging environment for the kids, along with kid-friendly adventures to empower children with hand differences to address daily physical, emotional and social challenges together," says Ginny Gibson, Occupational and Speech Therapy Management Coordinator at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland and Director of Camp Winning Hands.
There is no cost for Camp Winning Hands; it is partially funded by The Taylor Family Foundation, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, and Shriners Hospital for Children Northern California. The first Camp Winning Hands took place in August 2010 and has since become an annual summer event.
Camp Winning Hands 2020
Teen Camp August 3 - 7, 2020
Kids Camp August 4 - 7, 2020
To learn more about Camp Winning Hands, email: CampWinningHands@gmail.com
To apply for our 2020 session:
- Applications MUST be received April 15, 2020
- Complete the application: Camp Winning Hands Application
- Send the application via US Postal Service mail to:
Ginny Gibson
Pediatric Rehabilitation
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland
744 52nd Street
Oakland, CA 94609
Completing an application does not mean your child will be enrolled. You will be notified if your child is invited to attend Camp Winning Hands.