Living with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1)
For much of her childhood, Olive’s life was shaped by the uncertainty of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a neurological condition which causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body, for which there is no cure.
By age 10, she had already undergone dozens of MRIs, alongside ongoing medical appointments and care. Living with low muscle tone and balance challenges also meant navigating everyday activities differently from many of her peers.
A Camp Designed for Children with Neurological Conditions
When Theresa first learned about Double H Ranch, the SeriousFun camp in New York, she immediately felt hope and the possibility of a brighter future for her daughter.
“I cannot believe a place like this exists,” she remembered thinking.
At camp, Olive experienced something many children with serious illnesses and neurological conditions rarely have access to: the freedom to fully participate in activities in a medically safe, fully supportive environment.
Surrounded by peers, counselors, and medical staff who understood her needs, Olive climbed the ropes course, sang with friends, and tried activities that helped her see herself in a new way, not through the lens of her diagnosis, but through her abilities.
Theresa remembers watching Olive on the ropes course as “a strong, brave, empowered little girl.” She said she could simply “breathe,” knowing Olive was “in the very best hands and care imaginable.”
How Camp Builds Confidence Beyond the Camp Session
But the impact of camp did not end when the session was over. According to Theresa, the confidence and independence Olive built at camp now show up in everyday life year-round.
Before camp, Olive often hesitated to try activities that challenged her balance or coordination. After completing the ropes course and participating in adaptive sports, she began approaching new experiences with a different mindset: “I can try this.”
At a camp for kids with neurological conditions, those moments of courage don’t stay at camp, they carry into everyday life.
When Confidence Turns Into Possibility
Today, Olive approaches playground climbing structures and adaptive sports with greater confidence and resilience.
One especially meaningful moment came during winter adaptive sports programming, when Olive rode a ski lift for the first time. “I just couldn’t believe that was my daughter,” Theresa said.
Camp also helped strengthen Olive’s social confidence and sense of belonging. After leading songs at camp and building friendships with other campers who understood her experiences, she began participating more comfortably in school and group settings at home.
For Theresa, one of the most powerful outcomes has been watching Olive develop a stronger sense of identity and self-worth. “Her confidence doesn’t stay in Lake Luzerne,” she said. “It comes home with us and shows up in the small, everyday moments.”
The Lasting Impact of Camp for Children Living with NF1
That sense of confidence didn’t stop with Olive. It extended to her family, too.
Through camp, the family connected with others living with NF1, including Gabe, a counselor who also has NF1 and became an important role model. For families navigating serious illness, those connections can be transformative.
“Double H has literally changed my life,” Theresa said. “It’s a home and a family.”
“Double H hasn’t just given Olive joy during the sessions,” Theresa said. “It’s given her tools, courage, and a sense of self that she carries all year long.”
Because of camp, Olive is stepping back into her life more confident, more capable, and no longer limited by what once held her back.
For a SeriousFun camper, camp changes everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)?
A: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a neurological condition that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. Symptoms and challenges can vary widely from person to person.
Q: Can children with NF1 attend camp?
A: Yes. Many SeriousFun camps, including Double H Ranch, provide medically supported camp experiences designed for children living with NF1 and other neurological conditions.
Q: How does camp help children with neurological conditions?
A: Camp provides opportunities to build confidence, develop friendships, try new activities, and experience greater independence in a medically safe and supportive environment.
Q: What are the benefits of camp for children with serious medical conditions?
A: Research and camper stories consistently show improvements in confidence, belonging, resilience, social connection, and overall well-being that shapes campers’ lives into the future.