Tourette Syndrome Camp Organization

Tourette Syndrome Camp USA was featured in an article that was published in the Chicago SunTimes on July 1, 2007 titled "From Outcast to Accepted - Camp Duncan - Kids with Tourette find a nurturing place to be themselves". In the article, Camp Duncan director Kim Kiser is quoted as saying:
"This is a community that will not treat (the children) the way society has. We will respect and nurture them."

In another newspaper article published in the Daily Herald on Saturday, June 30, 2007, Camp director Scott Loeff is quoted as saying: "The one thing we hear, over and over, is people with Tourette Syndrome feel alone in the world, (here) camp lets them see that isn't true".
Camp Counselor Kelby Okada states in this article that he "wishes (he) had known about camp while growing up" because "I was in fourth grade when I found out I had Tourette Syndrome, and elementary and middle school can be pretty brutal. I like knowing I can help these kids get through those times."

The Organization

The Tourette Syndrome Camp Organization (TSCO) is a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization dedicated to promoting camping opportunities for children with Tourette Syndrome (TS) and its associated disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD).

The Program

The Tourette Syndrome Camp USA, founded in 1994, is a residential camping program designed for girls and boys ages 8 - 16+ whose primary diagnosis is TS, and to a lesser degree, OCD and ADD/ADHD.

The goal of the camp is to allow children with TS an opportunity to meet other children, share similar experiences and coping mechanisms in a fun, safe and positive environment.

The TS camp is run concurrently with a traditional camp week. While there are separate cabins for the TS campers, all programming is done with the rest of the camp. However, we do hold rap sessions with the TS campers so they have an opportunity to share their experiences with each other.

There is a nurse to handle medication and medical issues for the TS campers.

This is not a therapeutic program and the camp has some limitations in accepting children whose needs are beyond the scope of its design.

Campers must be able to handle routine daily living skills (i.e. dressing, self hygiene) and have the ability to function in a group setting. While the program is modified to meet the needs of most children whose primary diagnosis is TS, experience has demonstrated that not every child with TS is capable of participating in the camp program.

The Staff

In addition to providing in-service training for the Camp Duncan staff, TSCO augments the Tourette camps with special TS volunteer counselors who either have TS/OCD/ADD or have experience in dealting with the disorders. Our staff includes medical and psychiatric professionals that have volunteered as well as high school and college students along with young adults who hace a desire to work with children and are positive role models.

We are always looking for candidates to be counselors. If you are interested, please contact us about the application process.

The Facility

The Tourette Syndrome Camp USA is held at YMCA Camp Duncan which is located 30 miles north of Chicago. Camp is home to other special needs such as burn and diabetic Camp. The facility features an Olympic size indoor swimming pool and a semi-private lake. Their caring staff assures a positive experience in a caring environment.

Camp Schedule

Click here to see our current schedule.

Registration and Waiver Forms

Click here to download registration and waiver forms.

More Information

If you would like more information or desire to be put on our mailing list, please e-mail or call us.