Tourette Syndrome Association of Texas Children’s Camping Weekend

Sending your wish, by red balloon, into a clear, blue Texas sky with hopes
that it will come true – anything is possible at du Ballon Rouge!

du Ballon Rouge (dBR) is a unique time and place. Held annually in the hill country of Texas, dBR provides a setting for children with Tourette’s syndrome to experience events and activities that can change the quality and outcome of their life.

“To enrich the lives of children diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome, through a unique outdoor experience that offers acceptance, provides hope, promotes discovery, and creates the opportunity to establish relationships with others afflicted by TS” – that’s our mission!

2012 Camp dates will be Friday, March 23 through Sunday, March 25. APPLICATIONS FOR 2012 ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD-- click the dBR Application button. ALL campers, including returning campers, must complete a new application each year. New campers are accepted on a first come – first served basis.  All required forms must be received and approved by our medical staff before an invitation is made.  

Tourette Syndrome: Up Close from Cut to Create on Vimeo.

Acceptance.
Campers feel better because they can relax, have fun, and not be concerned about hiding their symptoms.  They feel accepted because of who they are and not excluded because of their disorder.

Hope.
Campers express hope, through challenging activities, interaction with others, and a supportive staff, that their lives can be successful and fun.Discovery.  Campers are exposed to activities and situations they may not have previously experienced.  Smiles of accomplishment and understanding fill the weekend as campers discover unknown talents and interests.

Relationships.
The weekend provides the setting for participants to make new friends.  New campers may be shy and uncomfortable with their new surroundings.  However, new friendships can begin to develop immediately and continue to grow throughout the weekend.  Many campers have shared similar experiences, remained in contact, and do things together once the weekend has ended.

The Program
The program, founded in 2003, is designed for children between the ages of 6 and 18 whose primary diagnosis is Tourette’s syndrome (TS).  Many participants exhibit other TS related conditions such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit disorder (ADD).  We are able to accommodate the needs of most campers, but the weekend outing has some limitations in accepting children whose needs are beyond the scope of its resources.  Campers must be able to handle daily routines such as dressing and personal hygiene. Campers are assigned to cabins based on their age and gender.  They experience activities both as a cabin and as a group.  Weekend activities include fishing, horseback riding, canoeing, arts and crafts, ropes challenge course, swimming, and team sports.  The environment is fun, safe, and positive, and campers, while challenged to reach their individual potential, are not required to participate.

The Facility
dBR is held at Camp For All, a unique camping and retreat facility located in Burton, Texas, which is about 90 miles from Houston.  Camp For All (CFA) works together with many special needs groups in providing programs that are “recreational, therapeutic, and educational”. The CFA staff is professionally trained and is compassionate and supportive of each special needs group.  You may access their website, www.campforall.org, for more information.

Counselors and dBR Staff
The staff of dBR are volunteers dedicated to providing the best experience for our campers.  Our staff includes adults with Tourette’s syndrome, outdoor experience, and medical training.  The majority of the staff attended the first four years of dBR.  Staff members attend training sessions and are prepared for the weekend.  With proper executed parental authorization (where required), the medical personnel will handle all medications and medical issues for campers.

du Ballon Rouge
The 9th Annual du Ballon Rouge Weekend was held Friday March 25 through Sunday, March 27, 2011. Activities for campers began with a campfire on Friday evening and concluded with our Red Balloon Ceremony on Sunday morning.  

2012 Camp dates will be Friday, March 23 through Sunday, March 25. APPLICATIONS FOR 2012 WILL BE ON-LINE IN JANUARY, 2012. New campers are accepted on a first come – first served basis.  All required forms must be received and approved by our medical staff before an invitation is made.   Currently, thanks to support from our wonderful donors, there is no cost for campers to attend dBR. 

Transportation, to and from the Camp For All facility, is not provided for campers.

Should you wish to sponsor a child at camp:
please send $100.00 per child you wish to sponsor to: 
                        du Ballon Rouge
                        c/o TSA of Texas
                        3919 River Forest Drive
                        Richmond, TX  77406

All donations are tax deductible in accordance with IRS regulations.