Seriously Ill Children Attend Camp; Just Be Kids

Sedona,AZ (June 10, 2011) – This past Tuesday, June 8th, thirty children suffering with serious illnesses including cancer, sickle cell, hemophilia and PKU embarked on a remarkable trip with the Camp Soaring Eagle Foundation to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford. The campers are spending a week at the medically based camp founded by Paul Newman where they can finally forget about their illness and just be kids. This program is completely free of charge to the campers and their families and all of the airfare for the thirty campers and five chaperones was generously donated by Southwest Airlines.

Children who typically cannot participate in customary kid’s activities due to their illness now have the opportunity to attend camp just like other children. “Many of these children have never been out of the state let alone been on a plane. “Thanks to the donation by Southwest Airlines, our campers now have the opportunity to truly spread their wings as they meet kids like themselves from around the world with similar medical conditions.” states Allan McArtor, Camp Soaring Eagle Board Member.

“Southwest Airlines is committed to supporting families facing serious illness,” said Debra Benton, Southwest Airlines Director of Community Relations and Giving. “Organizations like the Camp Soaring Eagle Foundation play such a critical role in these families lives by giving them time for rejuvenation and fun.”

Camp Soaring Eagle conducts three different types of camping programs: illness specific camping weekends, family retreats and travel programs. The travel programs are unique opportunities for our campers to participate in international programs where they meet children from all over the world with similar conditions. Camp Soaring Eagle aims to serve 600 campers and family members in 2011. Camp Soaring Eagle has one more travel program scheduled for this summer and a family retreat scheduled for early August in Sedona. For the complete program schedule, please visit www.CampSoaringEagle.org.

Camp Soaring Eagle is very grateful for the generous contribution made by Southwest Airlines. This contribution will help Camp Soaring Eagle enrich the lives of 30 seriously ill children this summer. For more information about Camp Soaring Eagle or to make a donation visit www.CampSoaringEagle.org or contact Jennifer Perry, Executive Director: 928-284-2644, jperry@CampSoaringEagle.org.