Too many children who are seriously ill, have a chronic disease, or have a disability never go on vacation. How can they gain access to sports, laughter and games, like everyone else? Since 1994, Fondation de France has been supporting adapted holidays for these children in vacation centers.

A welcome break from the anxiety of illness

Many young people with illnesses or disabilities have specific needs that make it impossible to leave their family home.

Every year, the Cap au Vert (Next Stop: Nature) program funds specially adapted sports camps with specific medical support. Activities include sports like climbing, archery, hiking and skiing. These camps welcome both able-bodied children and youngsters with illnesses or disabilities. Children are integrated into activities according to their abilities, and everyone shares the magic moments of everyday life.

Thanks to this program, young people suffering from serious diseases in remission, like cancer, or chronic illnesses like diabetes or cystic fibrosis, or living with disabilities can:

• overcome their limitations, see themselves differently and show their parents and friends what they are capable of;
• develop more independence in managing their illness on a daily basis, in a welcoming, safe environment with medical support;
• change the way people view serious illness and foster the acceptance of differences.

Fondation de France has established a partnership with UCPA (a French non-profit that organizes holidays for young people), which has been providing this type of vacation package for many years. In 2020, no holidays were organized at all, due to the pandemic. In 2021, Fondation de France will support outdoor holidays for children who, on top of dealing with their disease or disability, had to endure the additional burden of lockdown and its associated health-related restrictions.