Rodney Diaz is used to being called names at school. “Wheezer” is the most common. Rodney has asthma.

“It holds you back from things you want to do,” explains Diaz. “You want to be like other people but it’s tough when you pass out after running in gym class. The steroids put weight on you, and that limits your activities, too. But here [at camp], no one makes fun of you.”

Medication with snacks four times a day and education classes squeezed between summer camp activities like crafts, swimming, hiking and rock climbing are part of Asthma Camp’s daily schedule. But for the 10- to 13-year-old campers, these activities can be life-threatening and often aren’t allowed back home.

Camps for children with life-threatening diseases are a growing ministry for Camp Wawona, owned and operated by the Central California Conference since 1931. Located in Yosemite National Park, the camp provides summer camps, year-round weekend retreats for church groups and families, and conference-wide training and seminar events. Outdoor education programs are available during the school year.

The vision of partnering with Central Valley agencies to help community families in need began several years ago with a camp for women and children affected by and infected with HIV/AIDS. Then, an inner-city at-risk teen camp was added.

This ministry is exploding. New camps for children with epilepsy, diabetes and obesity, and family weekends, a vital component for education, nurture and respite for parents and siblings, are in the final planning stages. Follow-up programs, like cooking schools, will be offered through local Adventist churches.

New sponsoring partners include Adventist Health hospitals in Selma and Hanford, the American Lung Association in Fresno and Bakersfield, Fresno Community Hospitals, and Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Fresno.

Partners raise funds and provide volunteer medical staff for camps and weekends. Summer camp costs $1,300 per camper plus staffing. A family weekend retreat costs approximately $75,000.

Following Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Camps’ model, all summer camps and family weekend retreats are 100 percent free of charge. Funding comes from various sources — the sponsoring partners and agencies and individual and corporate donations. The conference is responsible for the facilities and programming.

This new paradigm requires an expanded method of operation. The Camp Wawona Foundation Board manages the daily operations, including overseeing all programming. Board members, all Adventists, include constituent members and conference administrators.

Yosemite Ridge, a non-profit 501c(3), is the fundraising board with members throughout California. Board members have one responsibility — to ensure the financial resources.

“Our vision for Yosemite Ridge is to show people how Jesus would treat them, meeting their physical and emotional needs, then offering something to heal their soul,” says Jackie Bragaw, conference capital campaign director.

During a recent meeting with Dr. Chun-Wai Chan, a cardiologist for Kaiser Permanente and Yosemite Ridge board member, Bragaw learned that prevention is their top priority. “Their biggest challenge is follow-up,” she says. “Dr. Chan said that follow-up programs would be a huge gift to the community. This has been our dream — for Adventists churches to be involved.”

“We are thrilled to be involved with this outreach ministry,” says President Jerry Page. “We will continue to serve our constituents who will always have first priority use of Camp Wawona. We are not limiting or decreasing our existing services in any area. We are expanding our ministries to serve community children with life-threatening diseases and their families because we believe this is what Jesus would do.”

Expanding to serve others includes a major rebuilding of the old facilities. To that end, a capital campaign was launched in 2000 to raise the necessary funds.

Ed and Janet Hardy, Oakhurst church and Yosemite Ridge board members, have experienced the impact of life-threatening diseases in their family (Ed’s dad was wheelchair-bound most of his life and a granddaughter recently died of leukemia).

“I am delighted to hear them bubble with enthusiasm to see the kids having so much fun,” says Ed. “It’s such a special gift, one they will remember the rest of their lives.”

The dream is staggering. “Our goal is to sponsor every child and every parent in the Central Valley,” says Ed. These families run out of money because of medications and other medical demands.”

The campers are quick to explain how their disease impacts the whole family. Much of the family’s resources are used for medical needs. Often pets are not possible. Certain locations are dangerous, limiting travel and outings. Even various cleaning products can send a child into a breathing crisis.

Providing a place for education, support, new friends and fun brings healing of another kind. “It strengthens us emotionally because you’ve been through hard times with asthma,” explains Jordan Quintero, wise beyond his 13 years. “Everyone is different, and no one’s perfect. God made you the way you are.”

For more information or to get involved, contact Jackie Bragaw at jbragaw@cccsda.org or call 559-347-3143.