Louisiana Pulmonary Disease Camp, Inc

Camp Pelican is a joint venture between LPDCI and the Louisiana Lions League. It is a week-long overnight camp for children with pulmonary disorders such as severe asthma, cystic fibrosis, tracheotomy and ventilator assisted children. These children would not be able to attend regular summer camp programs due to their extensive medical needs. Registration is open to all children with pulmonary disorders in Louisiana and surrounding areas.

Louisiana Pulmonary Disease Camp Incorporated (LPDCI) is a non-profit organization founded in 1976. A group of medical professionals, businesspeople, and community supporters came together to promote an appreciation of the plight of children with chronic and debilitating lung diseases, and to organize and fund activities for recreation for these children.

The organization serves over 100 children per year including children with cystic fibrosis (a chronic debilitating disease of the lungs and digestive system), children who are ventilator assisted, children with severe and chronic asthma and many others. Some activities include a week-long summer camp program - Camp Pelican, family functions, annual picnics, and parties, as well as, special assistance to children and families. LPDCI is proud to offer these activities at no cost to the participants.

Our first camping session, called Camp Sunshine, was held in 1978, in Lacombe, Louisiana and was attended by about 30 campers and staff. In 1985, due to a conflict with another local camp, our name changed to Camp Pelican.

In 1986, we had our first ventilator assisted camper. In 1988, our camp program met the many standards of the American Camping Association and became an accredited camp. After using several facilities and many changes, we have found our home in Leesville, Louisiana at the Louisiana Lions Camp.

Testimonials

"For many families like ours, life works a little differently. Some people tuck their kids into bed at night with the knowledge they will wake up in the morning ready to take on the world. For our family, every time we tuck our beautiful daughter into bed at night we worry that she will stop breathing. There are other families like ours. Families that worry constantly about how to keep their children safe, yet let them live life "normally". We want our children to have the same adventures and experiences as other children, finding a way to make that possible is the hard part. Camp Pelican was the answer to our prayers. I stumbled on Camp Pelican while we were stationed in Louisiana with the Army. My daughter was 7 and desperately wanted to go to summer camp. The problem is, regular camps can't take care of her the way she needs. They can't administer her meds and save her life in the middle of the night, and that makes regular childhood experiences more difficult to attain. Camp Pelican was different. I called literally one week before the camp started and they made room for her. I very nervously and emotionally dropped her off on the first day of camp not knowing what would happen. One week later I picked up a totally different kid. She was independent, she was happy, she made friends. I get emotional talking about Camp Pelican because it has changed our lives. Let me rephrase, the PEOPLE have changed our lives. Most will read about this camp and assume it is like any other camp but its not. I can't express it in any other words, this Camp Pelican is our family. It's a place that the counselors volunteer to take time from their summers and spend it with kids who deal with things kids should never have to deal with. They don't just volunteer, they love what they do. They love our kids, and they love making lifetime memories with them. I don't have to worry about dropping off my children because I know Camp Pelican is like another home to them, full of loving family members who would stop at nothing to make them happy. This camp, its not just a camp, it's a life changing experience for children who live with life altering illnesses. I am now the mom of two campers, both with restricting medical ailments. The highlight of my kids' year is their trip to camp, and it doesn't matter how many times I write it down for people to read, Camp Pelican gives my kids the ability to be like everyone else, and that is all I could ever want for them. Thank you Camp Pelican, all of you, for changing lives, one kid at a time! You will never ever know what you mean to every life you touch." ~ Hope, mother of two campers

"Our son, Preston, looks forward to going to Camp Pelican every summer! So much so that when we pick him up from camp he's already planning the next years adventure!! Camp Pelican gives Preston a week of just being a "typical" kid, whether he's just hanging out with the other kids, swimming, canoeing, or having a campfire sing-a-long! His favorite part of camp has always been talent night, he loves putting on a show with his counselors and singing his favorite songs...