Camp Wonder Provides Short-Term Health-Related Quality of Life Benefits for Participants With Chronic Skin Disease

Chronic skin diseases in children can significantly impair their quality of life (QOL) due to physical discomfort and psychosocial challenges. Disease-focused summer camps, like Camp Wonder (CW), offer a supportive environment for children to engage in activities and build friendships, potentially improving their QOL.

This prospective cohort study evaluated the short-term QOL benefits of CW as measured by the Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). Data were collected from 58 camp participants aged 8-17 years. The CDLQI was administered on the first and last days of CW. The paired sample t-test was used to compare pre-camp and post-camp CDLQI scores. A multiple linear regression analysis examined predictors of QOL improvement, including age, diagnosis category, sex, and initial CDLQI severity.

CW participants showed significant improvements in total CDLQI scores (mean change = -3.8 points, p < 0.0001) and in all constituent domains. Participants with "very large" initial QOL impacts experienced an average reduction of 8.4 points, while those with "extremely large" impacts had a reduction of 15.3 points relative to the reference group. Age, sex, and diagnosis were not significant predictors of QOL changes.

CW provides significant short-term QOL benefits, particularly for children with severe impairments due to chronic skin disease. These findings suggest that summer camp experiences may be useful as part of a comprehensive care strategy, especially for pediatric patients with severe QOL impacts.