Impact of a Camp upon Disease-Specific Knowledge and Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who attend residential camps derive various psycho-social benefits from their attendance. This study evaluated the impact of camp attendance on participants’ disease-specific knowledge and quality of life (QOL). Prior to attending a dedicated camp for children with IBD, all campers were contacted and asked to participate in an evaluation of outcomes. Campers were asked to complete questionnaires regarding background disease status, demographic information, disease-specific knowledge (Inflammatory Bowel Disease Knowledge Inventory Device [IBD-KID]) and QOL (IMPACT-III). Assessments were completed before the camp and then again 1 month and 6 months after the camp. The camp consisted of adventure-based experiences and did not include specific IBD-related educational activities. Thirty-nine of 44 campers provided baseline information. The responders comprised 21 boys, and the median age was 14 years. Most ( n = 35) were diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Twenty-five of the baseline responders were in clinical remission. Mean IBD-KID scores increased from baseline at both 1 month and 6 months ( p = 0.03 and p = 0.04, respectively). Although mean QOL scores did not increase after 1 or 6 months, body image sub-scores were increased at 6 months ( p = 0.015). Children and adolescents with IBD attending this residential camp demonstrated enhanced disease-specific knowledge following the camp, which was maintained 6 months following the camp. QOL scores were not increased overall at either time point. These results demonstrate a further benefit of residential camps for children and adolescents with IBD.