Melwood and Children’s National Hospital Announce Partnership of Specialized Summer Camp for Children with Disabilities or Chronic Medical Conditions

December 7, 2023

For the first time, the two organizations are coming together to offer a shared summer camp program for kids and teens with disabilities or chronic medical conditions across the mid-Atlantic region.

Upper Marlboro, Md. – Melwood, a leading employer, advocate, and preferred provider for people with disabilities, and Children’s National Hospital, a nationally ranked pediatric health system dedicated to providing exceptional medical care, are proud to announce an inclusive summer camp experience for kids. Camp Accomplish will offer customized week-by-week programming for kids and teens with disabilities or chronic medical conditions that’s specially tailored for each child’s distinct needs. The camp will be located at the Melwood Recreation Center in Charles County, Maryland.

For the first time ever, these two dedicated, highly credentialed teams are coming together to offer a distinct summer camp for kids and teens with disabilities or chronic medical conditions across the mid-Atlantic region. By uniting the deep-rooted dedication of the Melwood team with the unmatched medical expertise of the Children’s National team, the camp will offer an unforgettable experience, whether campers are navigating a chronic health condition or learning how to thrive with or without disabilities.

Every one of the camp’s distinct experiences throughout the summer is tailor-made to serve campers and welcome them as they grow through multidimensional programming. The activities for campers include swimming, equestrian activities, creative and performing arts, sports, climbing walls, adventure activities, nature, horticulture, STEM, culinary and much more.

Melwood has provided an inclusive summer program for children for the past 25 years, welcoming kids with and without disabilities to share the joy and fun of summer camp. The inclusive nature of Camp Accomplish also facilitates generational change, as kids learn and play with one another.

“Our hearts are filled with gratitude as we move into our next chapter of Camp Accomplish,” said Larysa Kautz, President and CEO of Melwood. “Our programs will provide children with and without disabilities or chronic illnesses opportunities to learn and grow, and together with Children’s National, we’re committed to making the experience for campers the safest and best it can be.”

As a subsidiary of Children’s National, Brainy Camps opened its doors in 1994 as a unique summer camp specializing in care for children, offering week-long, condition-specific, residential summer camps, as well as year-round support groups and leadership training programs. In 2009, Brainy Camps became part of Childrens National and continued to provide children with chronic illnesses the opportunities to meet peers, mentors and counselors with the same conditions and discover that they are not alone in the world.

“Childrens National has proudly offered a unique summer camp specializing in care for children for decades,” said Michelle Riley-Brown, MHA, FACHE, President and CEO of Children’s National. “By coming together with Melwood’s Camp Accomplish, we know we will continue to provide a quality camp experience for every camper.”

“Melwood has deep appreciation for the value of partnerships with other organizations, businesses, and nonprofits,” said Scott Gibson, Chief Strategy Officer at Melwood. “This collaboration between Melwood and Children’s National Hospital is another example of how strategic partnerships can create new, exciting and one-of-a-kind opportunities to advance our mission and better serve our region.”

“Summer camp is a place to explore new passions and cultivate new friendships, but it’s often been out of reach for children with chronic health conditions or disabilities,” said Elizabeth Wells, M.D., Senior Vice President, Center for Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine at Children’s National. “We are proud to collaborate and bring our dedicated medical expertise, highly trained counselors, and safety-always practices to Camp Accomplish.”
For more information about Melwood’s Camp Accomplish, please visit: CampAccomplish.org.

About Melwood
Melwood is one of the largest employers of people with disabilities in the country, employing more than 1,600 workers – nearly 1,000 of whom are people with disabilities. Founded in 1963, Melwood advocates for and empowers people with disabilities by expanding opportunities to work and thrive in community. Melwood offers job placement, job training, life skills for independence, and support services to more than 3,000 people each year in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Melwood also has an inclusive summer camp program for children and provides additional youth and community recreational services for individuals with disabilities. For more information, visit www.Melwood.org.

About Children’s National Hospital

Children’s National Hospital, based in Washington, D.C., was established in 1870 to help every child grow up stronger. Today, it is the No. 5 children’s hospital in the nation and ranked in all specialties evaluated by U.S. News & World Report. Children’s National is transforming pediatric medicine for all children. The Children’s National Research & Innovation Campus opened in 2021, a first-of-its-kind pediatric hub dedicated to developing new and better ways to care for kids. Children’s National has been designated three times in a row as a Magnet® hospital, demonstrating the highest standards of nursing and patient care delivery. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty care locations in the D.C. metropolitan area, including Maryland and Virginia. Children’s National is home to the Children’s National Research Institute and Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation. It is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels. As a non-profit, Children’s National relies on generous donors to help ensure that every child receives the care they need.