SKIN 
 

September 2021     Volume 5 Issue 5 
 

Copyright 2021 The National Society for Cutaneous Medicine 566 

COMPELLING COMMENTS 
 

 

The American Academy of Dermatology Camp Discovery Goes 
Virtual 
 

Katie A. O’Connell, MS1, Haya Raef, MS2, David X. Gao, BA3 

 
1 Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA 
2 Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 
3 University of Illinois School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 

 
 

Teasing and bullying related to skin disease 
have been associated with depression, 
suicidal ideation, and social withdrawal.1 

Psychological distress can further 
exacerbate skin conditions, initiating a 
vicious cycle of stress and 
disease. Specialized summer camps for 
children with skin disorders have been shown 
to help enhance quality of life.2  
 
In 1993, the American Academy of 
Dermatology (AAD) created Camp 
Discovery, a one-week residential summer 
camp experience for children with chronic 
skin disorders. The entire experience is free 
of charge and many campers return to camp 
year after year to be with old friends and 
make new ones.  
 
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, camp was 
transformed into a virtual experience. Despite 
the incredible disappointment over not being 
able to come together in person, new 
opportunities emerged for children from 
different camp locations to meet and expand 
their networks of support. Virtual camp 
included old traditions such as cabin time, a 
time where campers would gather in their 
cabin groups and discuss the day’s activities 
and play games, and new activities such as 
slime making, ice-cream making, and virtual 
Family Feud. The campers also had the 
opportunity to attend “gap week” sessions in 

between the traditional state-specific weeks. 
This afforded them ongoing fellowship 
throughout the summer months.  
 
Not only is Camp Discovery beneficial for 
campers, but also volunteers. One study 
demonstrated that camp volunteerism 
increases empathy toward children with 
chronic conditions and provides volunteers 
with a sense of fulfillment.3  
 
With the abrupt withdrawal of children from 
their school and social life, activities such as 
Camp Discovery may be helpful to restore 
these important facets of their lives, 
particularly for children with chronic skin 
disease. Despite the transition to a virtual 
format, the AAD’s Camp Discovery continued 
to provide campers with a space to connect 
and enjoy each other’s company. 
 
Acknowledgments:  The authors thank Susan 
Boiko, MD for editorial assistance in the preparation 
of the manuscript. The authors also thank Janine 
Mueller, who has coordinated and supported the 
American Academy of Dermatology Camp Discovery 
for many years. 
 
Conflict of Interest Disclosures: None 
 
Funding: None 
 
Corresponding Author: 
Katie A. O’Connell, MS 
Eastern Virginia Medical School 



SKIN 
 

September 2021     Volume 5 Issue 5 
 

Copyright 2021 The National Society for Cutaneous Medicine 567 

Phone: 757-310-9601 
Email: oconnek@evms.edu 

 
 
References: 
1. Vivar KL, Kruse L. The impact of pediatric skin 

disease on self-esteem. Int J Womens 
Dermatol. 2018;4(1):27-31. 

2. Wu J, Hogeling M. Impact of summer camps for 
children with chronic skin conditions [published 
online ahead of print, 2020 Aug 3]. J Am Acad 
Dermatol. 2020;S0190-9622(20)32309-4.  

3. Bensimon J, Wiss K, Banker S. Impact of Camp 
Discovery volunteerism on provider burnout and 
empathy. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;83(2):636-
638.  

 

 

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