Youth Programs
Regional Camp Opportunities
In 2025, BDAI looks to partner with regional chapters to provide camp opportunities for the youth in our community. To ensure that the mission of camp dating back to 1973 is still carried out today. The mission of camp is to assist campers by constructively incorporating their bleeding disorders into their self-concepts and lifestyles, to nurture self-confidence and foster pride, hope, and personal growth as well as to provide an opportunity to establish peer relationships, and to empower and motivate individuals with bleeding disorders to seek a life of freedom and independence that is not limited by their chronic conditions.
Camp History - Established in 1973, Camp Warren Jyrch for BDAI is an annual one-week overnight camp for individuals with hereditary symptomatic bleeding disorders. It is named after Warren C. Jyrch, the first person with hemophilia to successfully undergo open-heart surgery in Illinois. A program of BDAI, Camp Warren Jyrch serves as a symbol of hope for a positive future for all who are affected by hereditary bleeding disorders. The camp has served nearly 2000 campers over the years, many of whom have participated in the Counselor-In-Training program and now serve as part of the senior camp staff.
Our Young Adults need you!
For ages 15 to 22, this group is about young adults affected by bleeding disorders coming together to empower each other, learn to advocate, and grow into leaders both within the bleeding disorders community and in their daily lives.
If you are looking for ways to serve, help educate, and bring our older teens and young adults together, please reach out to BDAI Executive Director, Liz Burgess lburgess@bdai.org to volunteer!
Marcus Mclure Family Camp
Once a beloved family weekend for our Illinois youth and their families, 2020 caused the hiatus of family camp. If you would like to help with a family camp committee to bring it back to BDAI— please reach out to our Executive Director, Liz Burgess lburgess@bdai.org
In the past, BDAI has hosted the Marcus Mclure Family Camp for new campers between the ages of 6 and 10 years old and their family. This fun-filled weekend of camp activities allowed the whole family the opportunity to "try-out" bleeding disorders camp. This was an excellent way for kids to get a feel for camp before being away for a week on their own. It also gives parents peace of mind by observing how camp is run, and they are able to meet and interact with other families. We hope to provide this exciting opportunity again with the help of volunteers!