North Star Reach offers a cost-free, medically supervised, residential and family camp experiences for child who have experienced serious health challenges. Family camps are open to a wide variety of diagnosis and populations with summer programs typically focused on a specific group. Partner Programs are cooperative programs between North Star Reach and other not-for-profits serving similar populations. In 2024, North Star Reach and the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan worked together to host a summer family camp. Thanks to last year’s success, in addition to family camp, 2025’s schedule includes a four-day summer resident camp for children with epilepsy. Partner organizations are responsible for recruiting campers, volunteers, and providing medical support for their sessions.

Other camp programs include programming operated by other not-for-profits serving similar populations that run camps and utilize NSR’s state-of-the-art universally accessible facility.

There is no cost to attend North Star Reach. Yep, no cost. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero. Your only cost is transporting your child to and from camp.

We do all we can to provide a safe environment for the children at camp. All staff and volunteers are carefully screened including reference and background checks. Our medical providers are fully licensed and have extensive pediatric experience. Our leaders and cabin life staff go through staff development and training before the campers arrive and are given lots of support and supervision. All program areas are reviewed for safety on a regular schedule. All staff members maintain certifications as required for specific program areas.

The leadership staff undergo a strict interview and screening process including reference and background checks. Leaders are chosen from many applicants for their experience, enthusiasm and empathy. The entire staff receives intensive training in areas including safety, medical issues of our campers, child development, behavioral techniques and cultural awareness.

Our Health Center, “The Observatory” is staffed with pediatric physicians and nurses 24 hours a day. The nurses provide routine scheduled medical care for the campers as prescribed by their primary physicians or specialists and their parents. Caregivers have the opportunity to sit down with a nurse to review all medical care on arrival day. You can review all your child’s special needs, medications, restrictions, etc., and be assured that they will receive great care during their time at camp.

YES. Please send all medications and supplies to camp with your child. Make sure you send enough to last the entire time your child is at camp. This includes: all medications (prescription and over the counter, oral, IV, IM), supplies for central line care (heparin, saline, syringes, caps, access needles, EMLA, etc), and all other supplies (IV or pump tubing, pumps and supplies, wheelchair, crutches, etc.). If your child needs oxygen during the day or overnight this must be arranged prior to coming to camp by you and your oxygen supplier. The same is for family camp because caregivers are responsible for providing daily medical care for their camper.

If your child gets sick at camp, they will be evaluated by the physicians and nurses at camp. Minor medical problems (minor cuts, ear infections, sore throats, vomiting, sprains, etc.) can be handled in The Observatory. Emergency medical care is provided as needed (IV antibiotics for fever, pain medications, IV fluids, etc.). If necessary, children are transported off camp for further care. You and your child’s primary/specialty physician will be contacted by the camp medical staff with any significant medical issues. Remember, no news is good news.

At summer camp, we have an overall ratio of one staff member to two campers. There may be times when that ratio is higher or lower depending on the needs of the campers or group.

Campers live in cabins with other children their own age and gender. Each cabin typically has eight to ten campers plus cabin leaders. The cabins are equipped with accessible bathrooms and showers. They also have air conditioning that can be utilized if needed.

During family camps, cabins are typically shared by at least two families. And those bathrooms and showers, we can split them into two separate spaces, so each family has their own personal space.

You will receive a complete packing list upon your camper’s acceptance into a session. Camp is an active and rustic environment, so attire is usually comfortable, casual and durable. Camp bunks are twin xl sized (longer than typical twins) and will have a fitted sheet so that you can pack a sleeping bag or flat sheets and blankets along with a pillow. The same is true for family camp.

In our experience, we have found that talking to people at home often causes or increases homesickness (we call it missing home) and anxiety in campers. Our policy is that children are unable to call home during their time at camp. If you would like to check in to see how your child is doing, you can always call to get an update. But remember, no news is good news. Really! We will encourage your camper to send you a letter or postcard during the week so that you know they haven’t forgotten how awesome you are. We also do not have parents visit during camp sessions.

Campers love to hear how much you miss them and that you hope they are having a great experience!  You have a couple of options:

Email – You can email your camper at camperemail@northstarreach.org. To ensure your email is properly delivered, please include the name of the camper in the subject line of your email message.

Campers are not able to send response emails.

Snail Mail – Send your camper a letter or package at least 2 or 3 days BEFORE YOUR CHILD LEAVES FOR CAMP. Mailing an item a few days before your child leaves for camp is the best way to ensure it gets delivered before your child returns home from camp. Please DO NOT send candy, gum or food. We provide ample meals and snacks at camp. Food and candy cannot be kept in the camper cabins as these items may invite unwanted visitors (lions, tigers and bears . . . not really, but squirrels, mice and ants most definitely).

Mail/Packages should be sent to:
(Your child’s first and last name)
North Star Reach
1200 University Camp Drive
Pinckney, MI 48169