Cavett Kids Foundation

Camps: since 1997 Cavett Kids has provided free camps, programs and support for Oklahoma children and youth who are battling life-threatening illnesses. Over the years we've experienced tremendous growth; what started as one camp serving 70 Kids has developed into 8 camps, year-round programs, family support and scholarships serving thousands of children each year. We understand that the idea of "summer camps" is nothing unique. But these are Kids who cannot go to your typical camps because of the care they require. But with Cavett Kids, they can experience all the joys and freedoms of childhood along with around the clock medical care to keep them safe! We work to create a safe space for Kids to not simply survive, but to thrive in life. We teach our campers that every person has a purpose, and their challenges have meaning! Our programs have truly created a place, "where illness does not define the child." Cavett Kids currently operates eight camps at no cost to the campers and their families. We currently have four camps in Oklahoma (leadership camp, camp connections, camp Cavett and discovery camp) as well as four camps out of state in new mexico, Arizona, and Florida. This allows campers the opportunity to travel and explore. Our camp sizes range from an intimate setting of 20 campers to 200+ campers ranging in age from 8-18. Our camps provide all the traditional camp fun like crafts, outdoor adventures, team-building activities, a camp dance, fishing, ropes course, etc. Most importantly, our camps provide an opportunity for Kids who are often left behind by their "healthy" peers, a place to escape and feel like a "normal" kid.

Dialysis rewards: children battling kidney failure are forced to lead very different lives than other Kids their age. They have rigid diet restrictions, often look different physically, and undergo a series of tough treatments every single week. Because dialysis treatment requires a large time commitment, the patients miss out on school and many other social interactions at least three times a week. This can truly wear on the Kids emotionally, causing them to feel depressed and less compliant with their treatment plans. Although the Cavett Kids Foundation may not be able to cure the disease or make the pain disappear, we can be creative in the ways in which we encourage our patients on dialysis. Currently, we are partnering with the pediatric dialysis unit at the Oklahoma children's hospital in creating some innovative methods to motivate patients to live healthier, happier lives. Together, we have developed a dialysis rewards program with the goal being the encouragement of responsibility and teaching of healthy behaviors through positive reinforcement.

Cavett cares/family support: when times get tough, our Cavett Kids family gets tougher! The Cavett cares program is here to help our Cavett Kids families in their greatest time of need. From assistance with utilities, rent, groceries, gas cards, medications, and funeral assistance, we are here to help. Assistance is limited to Oklahoma families with children and youth, ages 0-24, who have been diagnosed with a chronic or life-threatening illness. Assistance may be given in the form of store gift cards or direct payments to the third-party payee(s). Under no circumstances will payments of any type be made directly to the camper/alumni, family, or patient.

Transitions: youth battling chronic or life-threatening illness often live very challenging lives. They can feel isolated, depressed, anxious, and underprepared for adulthood due to their circumstances. When you are battling an illness, your focus is on surviving, but the Cavett Kids Foundation is looking to reach beyond that and encourage our Cavett Kids to not just survive the fight, but to thrive in life! Our transitions program helps to equip teens and young adults, ages 15-24, to transition into adulthood successfully. Our transitions group offers meetings throughout the year that of course are fun and enticing, that's how you get a young person to show up! But these meetings also serve a greater purpose and that is to help them successfully prepare to become independent young adults. Our transitions education focuses on finance, education and career prep, health and wellness, various life-skills, stress management, and decision making. This population of youth already has a lot to manage and big life decisions to make. When you add the stress of managing your own care of a serious illness on top of that, it can seem completely overwhelming! Many of our Cavett Kids simply do not have the support and resources needed to help guide them into becoming self-sufficient adults, but with the support of our donors and the time of our volunteers, we can come together and help make a difference! We can better prepare our young adults to thrive in life, which ultimately changes not only the person, but our community.