Helping Kids with Hemiplegia CIMT Camp 2026

UNC Health offers Helping Kids with Hemiplegia - CIMT Camp, a therapeutic day camp for kids ages 4 to 10 with a diagnosis of hemiplegic cerebral palsy. What is more fun than working with friends in a classic camp setting?

Camp programming incorporates modified constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT), bimanual intensive therapy (BIT), and structured interventions with therapeutic handling into fun, goal-oriented games and activities. Since 2005, more than 500 children and their families have attended this annual summer program.

The camp was founded over twenty years ago by UNC Health's Holly Holland, OTR/L, who serves as co-director with Kerry Blazek, PT, DPT, PCS, CNT and Hillary Markham, MS, OTR/L. Camp is staffed by licensed UNC Health occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech language pathologists. Community therapists and student volunteers also volunteer to help staff camp ensuring our 1:1 camper to counselor ratio.

Before you apply, please review the “Is camp right for my family?” section below and review the eligibility requirements before completing your application materials.

Application deadline - March 1, 2026 and includes the following:

• Online Application
• Application Video (via Email)
• Camp Referral Form for “OT Evaluation for CIMT Camp” (via email)

Incomplete or late applications including referrals and video will not be considered for camp placement.

During Helping Kids with Hemiplegia-CIMT Camp, your child will take part in fun, creative activities. Please note that camp days can be physically demanding for campers, as constraint-induced movement therapy involves immobilizing your child's dominant arm in a cast. This process allows for targeted rehabilitation of the affected arm through carefully designed activities and exercises.

Camp may be right for my child if:

• They walk independently without an assistive device (crutches, walker, etc.)
• They follow directions in a group setting
• They can tolerate wearing a cast on their dominant arm for 7 hours a day

If you have questions or concerns about your child’s ability to participate please contact our staff at helpingkidscamp@unchealth.unc.edu to help determine the most appropriate intervention options.

Helping Kids with Hemiplegia is for children ages 4 to 10 who:

Required

• Have been diagnosed with hemiplegic cerebral palsy
• Walk independently without an assistive device (crutches, walker, etc.)
• Follow directions in a group setting
• Can wear a cast for the entire camp day
• Can take part in group activities for 7 full days, while casted
• Can participate in camp without a parent present. (Please consider your child’s temperament in group settings such as daycare and school.)
• Are not subject to uncontrolled seizures
• Can commit to the full week of camp
• Can attend a pre-camp casting and assessment appointment. Please be aware that this appointment is billed to your insurance and will require a separate trip to our clinic in Chapel Hill, NC. Appointments will be scheduled between April 15 and June 11, 2026. Families are responsible for any costs not covered by insurance.

Preference is given to children who:

• Are residents of North Carolina
• Will not take part in any CIMT interventions in the six months prior to camp
• Can open and close their fingers

Helping Kids with Hemiplegia-CIMT Camp does not charge a registration or program fee for our 7-day camp. This is thanks to the generosity of private and corporate donors, staffing support from UNC Health, Hope for Hemiplegia, and time donated by our volunteer staff. A $150 tax-deductible donation is encouraged to help sustain our program.

Costs include:

• A pre-camp evaluation appointment with our camp team at UNC Health. This appointment will be billed to insurance. Families are responsible for any costs not covered by insurance.
• Families are responsible for any food, transportation, and lodging needs during camp. Upon acceptance, area hotel information will be shared with camp families.

To apply, please submit the following application materials by March 1, 2026

• Online Application
• Email this Camp Referral Form for, "OT Evaluation for CIMT Camp", to helpingkidscamp@unchealth.unc.edu
• Email your Application Video. (Video Instructions are listed on the online application form. helpingkidscamp@unchealth.unc.edu

Helping Kids with Hemiplegia-CIMT Camp receives many applications each year that often exceed the spaces available for campers. We do our best to accommodate all applicants. Please know our selection team carefully considers each child while also creating well-balanced and age-appropriate camp groups to ensure a positive experience for all campers. If your child is not accepted, they will automatically be placed on the waitlist.

Application

Solicitud del Campamento

Helping Kids with Hemiplegia - CIMT Camp is a therapy-based day camp that uses constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) and bimanual intensive therapy (BIT) for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Mornings start with hands-on training related to movement facilitation and intervention ideas for all volunteer staff. Throughout the day campers rotate between stations: art, games, fine motor, sensory and activities of daily living. Each day ends with a group song and send off! Some days have a theme, and all volunteers are encouraged to participate!

Check out this video to get an inside look at the camp experience and hear testimony from our volunteers.