Check out videos and news coverage about our August 1, 2021 Beach Day and December 12, 2021 Holidays with Camp Cosmos event!
Camp Cosmos programs provide positive, inclusive and community-building events and activities for children with craniofacial and other visible differences and their families. We are based in San Diego but offer virtual services for families across the USA and Mexico!
We partner with like-minded organizations like the Children’s Craniofacial Association (CCA) to offer:
Weekend Camps – take place twice a year. Saturday is virtual and Sunday is in-person somewhere fun, with activities lasting about 4 hours each day (10-2ish PST.) As of now, 2023 Dates: July 29 & 30, and December 9 & 10
Online Meet-Ups – take place online only 3 times a year, and last about 90 minutes. The first hour features games and activities for kids around a selected theme, and the last 30 minutes provides parents and young adults the chance to share challenges, joys, and experiences with each other and guest therapists. 2023 Dates: Saturdays, 9-10:30 AM PST; March 11, May 20 and October 14
Camp Cosmos on the Road, launching in 2023, are outings for local families in our own beautiful backyard of San Diego that take place 3 times a year. Family participation is encouraged to strengthen connections and community. 2023 Dates: Saturday afternoons, March 11, May 20 and October 14
Horse Therapy Camp “Horsin’ Around is a fun, week-long program in the summer that focuses on self-confidence and self-expression, interpersonal connections, and ability to cope by interacting with horses and learning the fundamentals of horseback riding. The dates of this Camp are June 26-29, 8:30-12 PST, Sandia Creek Ranch, Fallbrook CA
Caregiver Support Groups: We are proud to join and support CCA for its support groups for parents and caregivers exclusively, offered in the evenings of the first Wednesday of every month
Every Camp Cosmos program seeks to:
build self-esteem and facilitate connections and bonding among these children.
empower their families to build a network of support among each other and with their treatment teams in a safe, fun, and judgement-free environment.
share insight and experiences of speakers and guests who live with and/or advocate for people with differences.
Special Thanks to Title Sponsors!
Thrilled to partner with 3 special San Diego restaurants, which have chosen to help bring smiles to kids by partnering with and supporting Camp Cosmos!
A couple of Camp Cosmos kiddos are finalists in our Design Your Own Pizza Contest with Dough Momma! They got behind-the-scenes tours of the pizzeria, then made, baked and tasted their creations!”
Meet our Camp Cosmos Team!
Dr. Amanda Gosman
What is your favorite thing about Camp Cosmos?
Learning from each other and laughing together.
If you could have ANY super power, what would it be and why?
Change the speed of time so I could slow down the great parts and speed up the not great parts.
Who/what inspires you the most in your life?
My patients, definitely!
What do you enjoy doing most in your free time?
Spending time with my daughter enjoying the outdoors.
Cashel Gaffey
What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?
I love to spend my days off outside in my hammock, hanging out with my cute little kitten Clover, or at the beach watching gorgeous San Diego sunsets.
If you could have ANY super power, what would it be and why?
If I could have any super power it would be to speak any language, so that I could communicate with anyone, anywhere in the world!
Who/what inspires you the most in your life?
I am constantly inspired by the children and families that I meet through ConnectMed and Camp Cosmos.
What is your favorite thing about Camp Cosmos?
My favorite thing about Camp Cosmos is getting to know all our families on a more individual level, by sharing stories and personal experiences.
Dr. Azmaira Maker
What is your favorite thing about Camp Cosmos?
Learning about the children’s real-life experiences.
If you could have ANY super power, what would it be and why?
Making this a kind and loving world for all life forms.
Who/what inspires you the most in your life?
Kindness, patience, and generosity.
What do you enjoy doing most in your free time?
I love going to the beach, snorkeling, swimming with wild-life, traveling, and cooking.
Rita Albert
What is your favorite thing about Camp Cosmos?
Of course it has to be hearing when kids say they look forward to it all year! 🙂
If you could have ANY super power, what would it be and why?
Shape shifting – so I could see the world from a bunch of different perspectives
Who/what inspires you the most in your life?
Ah well not so much one person but a village – my “tribe” of smart, funny, thoughtful women friends!
What do you enjoy doing most in your free time?
Either exercise (hike, bike, swim) or sleep, depending on my mood!
TESTIMONIAL
“Camp Cosmos was the first community event we have ever found for kids with craniofacial differences. My son had been embarrassed of his scar. He didn’t want people to see it or know about it…After Camp Cosmos he really bloomed. All day at camp he kept saying “Mom, look, he/she has a scar just like mine!” He had so much fun, felt so special and a part of a bigger group…The kids helped each other, nobody pointed at his scar or whispered. For me, it meant a lot to know that I wasn’t alone. The parents who were there had been through what we have. They know what it’s like to sit beside your child’s bed in the hospital, to hardly sleep through recovery and worry about peer judgments and self esteem. We are strong for our kids but it’s traumatic for us too. It was a powerful day for us.”
– Proud Parent
Many thanks to our other sponsors:
