Camp Crescent Moon History

Dr. Darleen Powars had a dream. As an avid camper and nature lover Dr. Powars felt all children should have the experience of hearing birds sing high atop a tree branch, listening to the wind blowing in the trees, hiking down an unknown trail and gazing at the stars. 

As a Board Certified Hematologist/Oncologist, Dr. Powars knew that her patients with sickle cell disease would not be able to attend a traditional camp without some physical difficulties.

Thus based on a community-perceived need, the Sickle Cell Disease Foundation of California established its first summer camp in 1967. Mr. Kenneth Morris, Executive Director of the 28th Street YMCA, served as our first Camp Director. Elizabeth Adams, R.N., June Vavasseur, M.P.H., Social Worker, and a host of volunteers joined Dr. Powars and 27 campers in the first camping experience for children with sickle cell disease in the nation. 

Now 38 years later Camp Crescent Moon continues to thrive. Dr. Powars recently retired as the camp’s Medical Director, and under the direction of Dr. Cage Johnson as Camp Medical Director and Mary E. Brown as Administrative Camp Director, participation has grown from 27 in 1967 to over 125 campers in attendance each year.

The camp's daily activities are geared to the ages, abilities and interests of the campers and are tailored to meet the physical needs of children with sickle cell disease. Daily programs include: Arts and Crafts, Science, Dance, Sickle Cell Disease Education, Outdoor Living, Swimming, Computer Lab and Horseback Riding. 

To implement a successful camp week, Camp Crescent Moon is staffed by a team of volunteers who participate in a rigorous training process to ensure their readiness and commitment to the demands the camp week will present. We also encourage former campers to volunteer for the program. 

The camp staff is separated into four components, which includes an administrative staff, medical staff, program staff and cabin counselors. Each staffing category has its own set of defined roles, expectations and expertise. However without all four of these components, we would fail at our attempt to provide this wonderful and unique experience. 

Camp Crescent Moon is funded by a variety of sources such as grants, corporate contributions & individual donors.

Camp Crescent Moon is currently held at a privately owned camp ground in Southern California. Children between the ages of 8-14 with sickle cell disease who reside in Southern and Central California. Accredited by the American Camping Association for the past 25 years, the SCDFC is proud to boast of its success with the annual summer camp program. We have served as a leader with other sickle cell disease programs who have modeled their summer camp programs after Camp Crescent Moon. 

Our thanks to all of our volunteers throughout the past 34 years and especially to our wonderful campers!