“It’s an exciting time of year,” said Virginia Dixon-Wood of UF’s Craniofacial Center. “We love getting ready for camp; everyone has so much fun.”
The UF Craniofacial Camp, held annually for about the past 20 years, is held near Keystone Heights, Florida, and allows 22 families to learn, bond, grow, and embrace the challenges inherent with managing craniofacial difficulties. Camp fills up quickly, and this year is no exception: space is sold out. Families whose children are clients of the Craniofacial Center comprise the majority of those attending. The camp is designed to help children develop coping skills and improve self-esteem and self-confidence.
Staffed by UF Craniofacial Center team members and UF graduate students, the four-day outing provides the opportunity to spend time with specialists and other families in similar situations. The setting is informal, and allows for questions to be asked, concerns to be expressed, and friendships to be developed.