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Hospital provides ‘summer camp’ environment by Maggie Diebolt Public Relations Summer camp typically brings to mind images of bunk beds, swimming pools, and children laughing and playing games. Though the atrium in the MUSC Children’s Hospital was not equipped with bunk beds or a pool, between July 31 and Aug. 4, the space was transformed into a jungle-themed getaway for children and their families.   Camp MUSC is staffed by Child Life employees as well as volunteers, and is open for special events and craft activities three times a day during the week while in session. All patients in the pediatric hospital are encouraged to attend, and their siblings are welcome with adult supervision.   Camper Taylor Fentress smiles after creating her butterfly wings at an activity presented by the Charleston Museum.   Taylor Fentress, a regular camp attendee, enjoys the special activities. “If the atrium is open, she’s in here,” said her mother, Amy Fentress. Camp MUSC, now in its second year, provides patients in the Children’s Hospital with a summer camp environment while they are unable to enjoy a typical camp experience. The South Carolina Aquarium, the Sewee Educational Center and the Charleston Museum have been involved in bringing craft projects and special events to the atrium.   MUSC campers are divided into teams based on their unit location, and each team competes for stickers. Nurses also became involved in the close race this year between the 7A Giraffes Gungle, 7B Zebra Zone, 7C Crocodile Cove and 8D Parrots Place; doling out stickers to patients who finished their dinner or underwent a procedure.   Camp fliers are posted on the bulletin board and given to patients each night, listing the activities for the next day. “As many kids participate as are able to, and we also take what we can to children at bedside and try to include them as much as possible,” said Erin Hall, director of Camp MUSC and a hospital employee in the Child Life department for more than two years.   Hall is motivated by the progress being made at the camp since its inception last year and enjoys being involved in the camp. “I love everything about the camp, being able to see the children and their families and the enjoyment it brings them. I’ve heard from parents that this summer camp encourages kids to get out of bed. It inspires us to develop more activities and get the community involved,” she said.     Friday, Aug. 18, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.