ABOUT US

The method used in our camps is the experiential therapy and the therapeutic recreation. Yuppi camp is the only Romanian organization which uses this psychological innovative therapy.

The objectives of the camp schedule is to raise the self-confidence of the children, to develop a positive self-image and self-acceptance, from these resulting a deep emotional healing of the self , which, we believe, will influence greatly the physical healing of the children. This will also help the acceptance and integration of the disease and treatment in their lives.

For these reasons, our 8 days camps are full with adventures and challenges. The daily program is conceived from activities like climbing, hiking, horse-riding, rowing, archery, theater, photographing, music, handmade creation. In the evenings, the kids are part of new adventures like: helping Indiana Jones to find the maps to the treasure, to get ready for the Oscar galas, or to win back the fire from Olimp.

In all this time, the children are enlarging their perception of their own limits and, after a while, they realize that they don’t fear anymore new challenges, learning, listening, understanding, feeling or expressing themselves, and the ability to ask and give support comes naturally in this process.

Mission

THE PARTICIPANTS

Yuppi camps provide therapeutic recreation for children suffering from diabetes, cancer or autoimmune diseases. So far, almost 900 children participated within the Yuppi camps. In 2019 our camps hosted 144 participants coming from 29 counties from Romania. The camps are organized according to the type of disease and age of participants: camps for children (7-12 years) and for teenagers (13-17 years).

Premiere in 2017: In the first camp organized for families with a small child suffering from cancer (aged 0-9 years) participated 9 families – totally 33 persons - i.e. sick children and their healthy parents, sisters and brothers.

THE APPLIED METHODOLOGY

We are the first camp in Romania applying the revolutionary methodology of therapeutic recreation. Our source of inspiration was the Hungarian Bátor Tábor (Bátor Camp - Camp of Courage) where we learned how to implement this professional principle already accepted and applied worldwide. The Bátor Tábor is a professional and appreciated camp, part of the Serious Fun Children’s Global Network. Please read the following pages to learn more about the therapeutic recreation activities and its efficiency.

PLACE, TIME, DURATION

Our fully equipped camp is located in Șăulia, Mureș County, Romania. In 2019 we organized four Yuppi Camps – for children suffering from diabetes, for teenagers suffering from diabetes, for children camps and teenagers suffering from cancer or autoimmune diseases, as well as family camp for families where the child suffering from cancer ist between 0-9 years old. Our free of charge camps were organized in June, July and August.

PROFESSIONAL HELP

Beside children, there are also active volunteers, medical professionals and the organizers. Furthermore, before joining the camp, the children are selected and counselled by doctors. In 2019 Yuppi cooperated with 159 volunteers, out of which 21 specialized medical professionals, whereas the 144 children were selected with the help of 61 doctors.

The Team

Below please find the list of our professional and dedicated colleagues doing their best in order to place a healing smile on the faces of children suffering from chronic and other severe diseases. Our team consists of full-time and part-time employees, whereas the larger number of our personnel consists of volunteers.