Madden Open Hearts Camp

The Edward J. Madden Open Hearts Camp, established in 1961 in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, is the first and longest-running summer camp for children who have had open heart surgery. It serves campers ages 8-16 who have undergone cardiac surgery, a transplant, or device implantation, in an emotionally supportive environment aimed at building self-confidence, resilience and leadership while reducing isolation. Camp is entirely free for every child and family, with donations optional. Nurses, many of them cardiac specialists, are on site 24/7 and take part in every activity, and the camper-to-staff ratio is often 2:1 or 3:1. A full-time chef, himself a former camper, prepares meals. Activities include hiking, swimming, campfires, cooking lessons, arts and crafts, a camp carnival and off-camp trips in the Berkshires, all designed to be accessible to every camper. The camp is ACA accredited.

Drop-off is Sunday at 12:00; camp ends Friday with a family barbecue and pick-up starting at 10:00 a.m. A separate Family Camp session and a Heart Mom Retreat are also offered. Applicants must submit detailed medical history, cardiologist approval, a recent EKG, medication list and vaccination history.