In a powerful new partnership with Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Midlands, Camp CoAg brought children and teens from every corner of South Carolina together for a single, unified camp experience at Camp Cole. For the very first time, campers living with bleeding disorders and their siblings were welcomed with open arms, regardless of where they receive their medical treatment—as long as they call South Carolina home and are members of the Bleeding Disorders Association of South Carolina (BDASC).
Filling a Vital Gap for Our Community
For many years, we recognized a heartbreaking reality: too many children in our community living with hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, rare factor deficiencies, platelet disorders, and other rare bleeding conditions were missing out on the life-changing magic of summer camp. While excellent programs exist, only a small number of our local kids were participating. We knew something was missing, and we challenged ourselves to do more to remove barriers and ensure no family felt left behind.
Our vision was beautifully simple: create a safe space where kids could gain confidence, experience independence, build lifelong friendships, and just enjoy being kids. Just as importantly, we wanted siblings to be a central part of that journey. When a bleeding disorder impacts an individual, it impacts the entire family unit. Siblings deserve a place where they feel completely understood, included, and connected to the wider bleeding disorders community alongside their brothers and sisters.
Four Days of Unforgettable Magic
This year, 35 incredible campers joined us for four unforgettable days. The shorter, four-day format provided a perfect, comfortable first step for many families who weren’t quite ready to send their children away for a full week, unlocking doors to participation that might have otherwise remained closed.
Our days were packed with endless laughter and classic camp experiences, including:
- Water Adventures: Swimming, kayaking, and high-energy water play.
- Outdoor Fun: Fishing and exploring the beautiful grounds.
- Camp Traditions: Gathering around evening campfires and sharing stories.
- Personal Growth: Leadership development, teamwork, and building deep community bonds.
The First Chapter of a New Tradition
This is only the beginning of a treasured South Carolina tradition. As Camp CoAg grows, so will our reach. Our ultimate goal is to expand opportunities until every single child or teen impacted by a bleeding disorder in our state has the chance to experience this profound sense of joy and belonging. To get there, we will need additional counselors, staff, and funding—but at BDASC, we know that when we believe in something special, anything is possible.
A Deep Note of Thanks
An initiative like this requires a village. We want to extend our deepest appreciation to everyone who poured their hearts into making this week a success:
- Kelsey, for recognizing our heart of service, taking us under her wing, and creating a perfect space for us at Camp Cole.
- Our incredible campers, families, dedicated counselors, and enthusiastic volunteers.
- Our generous sponsors and community donors.
With Special Thanks to Our Program Partners & Supporters:
Here are the direct links extracted from their official web presences:
Friends of Camp Kemo Programs: https://prismahealthchildrens.org/programs-and-services/camps/camp-kemo
Camp Cole: https://www.campcole.org/
National Bleeding Disorders Foundation: https://www.bleeding.org/
Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Midlands: https://prismahealthchildrens.org/locations/hospitals/childrens-hospital-midlands
Prisma Health-Midlands Pediatric Hematology/Oncology: https://prismahealthchildrens.org/
Prisma Health: https://prismahealth.org/
Prisma Health Children’s Hospital – Upstate: https://prismahealthchildrens.org/locations/hospitals/childrens-hospital-upstate