About Us
Introducing Camp Accomplish, a summer experience
from Melwood and Children’s National.
Exciting. Surprising.Welcoming. Inclusive. Supportive.Safe. Fun. Unforgettable.
Camp is supposed to be all of these things. But for many children and families navigating unique developmental needs and medical diagnoses, these qualities have long felt out of reach. Not anymore.
Camp Accomplish is a summer experience from Melwood and Children’s National. For the first time, these two dedicated, highly credentialed teams are coming together to offer a distinct and inclusive summer camp for kids and teens with disabilities and chronic health conditions.
Together, we contribute decades of experience in tailored camp programming, with Melwood bringing rich experience to individuals with disabilities through inclusive community-based service, and Children’s National offering nationally recognized capabilities in serving children’s chronic health needs.
Camp Leadership Team
Lulu Moeller, DNP
Melwood
Lulu Moeller is the new Director of Melwood Recreation Center and Youth Services. Lulu brings more than a decade of experience in working with individuals with disabilities in a recreational environment. As an individual with invisible disabilities, Lulu is passionate about Melwood’s mission and vision. In addition to their camp experience, Lulu holds a Doctorate in Nursing Practice.
Dr. John Schreiber
Children’s National
John M. Schreiber, M.D., is the Medical Director for Camp Accomplish. At Children’s National Hospital, he serves as Director, Electroencephalography, Director, Epilepsy Genetics Program, Associate Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics, and is a Neurophysiologist. Dr. Shrieber graduated cum laude from University of Maryland School of Medicine in 2006.
Izzy Knight
Melwood
Isabelle “Izzy” Knight has been a standout figure in the Camp Accomplish community for over 5 years. Starting as a camp counselor, Izzy’s journey evolved into leadership roles, notably as the Summer Camp Director. As Program Director, Izzy eagerly looks forward to working with both new and returning campers, focusing on her commitment to creating an inclusive and enjoyable camp experience for all.
Julie Smith
Melwood
Julie Smith provides registration oversight and administration for Camp Accomplish. Julie has over 18 years’ experience in youth recreation and retreat center management and over 14 years’ experience in foodservice and hospitality management. Julie serves as the lead instructor for culinary and horticultural activities.
Core Program Activity Team
Caitlin Martin
Promise Landing Farm
Caitlin is the Site Director for Promise Landing Farm at the Melwood Recreation Center. Caitlin Martin has been riding horses since the age of eight. As an instructor, Caitlin, has taught youth and adults from beginners learning to walk and trot, to more advanced riders in the sport of eventing. Caitlin began working for Melwood as the Equestrian Program Coordinator in the summer of 2013. She acquired her PATH certification in 2014. Caitlin transitioned to working for Promise Landing Farm in 2021. Caitlin gained much of her experience and knowledge of working with people with disabilities from assisting her mom, who is a Special Education teacher.
Suse Greenstone
Melwood
For more than 7 years, Suse Greenstone has been empowering people with disabilities and at-risk youth to overcome societal barriers as a Registered Horticultural Therapist. She looks forward to working with Camp Accomplish every year and takes great care to plan seasonal experiential activities that take place in the therapeutic greenhouse, vegetable, pollinator gardens and activity circles under the trees at the Melwood Recreation Center.
This team is supplemented by amazing seasonal employees sharing talents ranging from Arts and Crafts to STEM activities!
Hear from our Providers
I personally find the camp experience to be so critical to gaining a better understanding of what families are doing on a day-to-day basis to take care of their children. By attending camp and helping the campers do everything from getting out of bed to breakfast and the various activities each day, to making sure they are taking their medications, you realize how difficult a job it can be. Ever since attending camp I never judge a family that missed their child’s medications or were late for their appointments because it helps you realize they have a lot of balls in the air and need our grace and understanding to take care of them as a person rather than just a patient.
Marc DiSabella, DO
Child Neurology Department | Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Child Neurology| Program Director, Child Neurology Fellowship | Director, Headache Program | Medical Director, Neurology Education
Children’s National | George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences
Summer camp holds immense significance for children with sickle cell disease. It offers these children a haven where they can build lasting friendships, discover their strengths, and create cherished memories. Beyond the joy and laughter, the summer camp experience provides crucial support, fostering resilience and empowering these young individuals to embrace life with hope and courage.
Lisa Thaniel, DSW, LICSW, LCSW
Clinical Social Worker
Division of Hematology
Children’s National
Camp is such an uplifting, unique experience not only for the kids, but for all the providers and staff involved. Our staff ensures that every kid is able to take part in any and all activities they are interested in. My favorite part of camp was the “doctor talks” where the campers are able to talk freely and ask questions amongst new friends that have an understanding of mutual experiences. It was moving to see how insightful and supportive our campers were for each other.
Colleen Cox, PT, DPT
Physical Therapist I
Physical and Occupational Therapy Department
Children’s National
I found the camp experience to be an incredibly enriching experience and I’ve looked forward to returning to camp over the years to interact with the campers and counselors. It’s wonderful to see the patients that we are so used to seeing in the outpatient clinic or the hospital being themselves in a more natural environment – playing, socializing, just enjoying being out in nature. I’ve strongly encouraged pediatric residents and neurology and neurodevelopmental disabilities fellows as well as my colleagues to spend time at camp to get to see another side of their patients. The highlights for me are pool time, when the campers are having a ton of fun in the water, and the talent show, when I can see campers cheering each other on, one performance after another. The talent show especially reinforces for me how amazing our patients are.
Sinan Omer Turnacioglu, MD
Pediatric Neurologist
Child Neurology Pediatrics Department
Children’s National
The Collaborators
Melwood
Melwood was founded in 1963 by a small group of parents and community supporters who decided to teach plant care to young adults who were considered by most to be untrainable and unemployable. Their goal was almost unheard of—jobs for people with disabilities. It was a bold idea for its time. Melwood advocates for and empowers people with disabilities by expanding opportunities to work and thrive in community. Employing more than 1,600 workers – nearly 1,000 of whom are people with disabilities, Melwood also offers job placement, job training, life skills for independence, and support services to more than 3,000 people each year in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
In 1998, Melwood opened Camp Accomplish, filling a critical need for children with disabilities to experience a summer camp like any other child. Camp Accomplish would go further, when it became a camp for kids with and without disabilities, advancing the causes of inclusion, accessibility, and community.
Children’s National
For more than 150 years, Children’s National Hospital has dedicated itself to helping children grow up stronger. Today, it is the No. 5 children’s hospital in the nation and ranked in all specialties evaluated by U.S. News & World Report. Children’s National offers expert care to families throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia at its main hospital, specialty care locations, pediatricians’ offices, and affiliate care locations. It is the only exclusive provider of pediatric care in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Children’s National is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels.
Camp was developed and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Children’s National to provide children with chronic health conditions a unique summer camp, offering week-long condition-specific residential experiences, as well as year-round support groups and leadership training.
Promise Landing Farm
With a shared vision to bring inclusive equestrian services to the greater D.C., Maryland and Virginia community, Melwood and Promise Landing Farm (PLF) have partnered to offer equine assisted programming to people of all ages, with specialized expertise in accommodations for people with disabilities. The unique therapeutic component of being in nature and interacting with horses can help address sensory and processing challenges for people with disabilities and support the healing process for veterans who have experienced trauma.
Our Location
Camp Accomplish is hosted at the Melwood Recreation Center, a beautiful 108-acre facility located in rural Charles County, Maryland. With a diverse offering of lodge-style cabins, challenge courses, almost 10 miles of hiking trails, aquatic and equestrian facilities, and a variety of meeting spaces all set in a serene natural environment.
Facilities:
Camp Accomplish is hosted at the Melwood Recreation Center, a beautiful 108-acre facility located in rural Charles County, Maryland. With a diverse offering of lodge-style cabins, challenge courses, almost 10 miles of hiking trails, aquatic and equestrian facilities, and a variety of meeting spaces all set in a serene natural environment, the site has something for everyone.
Camp Accomplish is located approximately one hour south of Washington, DC, and is a short, 12-mile drive west of La Plata, Maryland.
Activities include:
- Equestrian programs*
- Creative and performing arts
- Sports
- Climbing wall access
- Adventure activities
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and
- Mathematics (STEM) activities
- Nature and horticulture programming
- Culinary arts
- Kayaking and canoeing
- Field Trips
and so much more!
*Some activities may require an additional fee.
Each camper will have the opportunity to try everything, and for campers who know exactly what they like, we offer the opportunity to choose and focus on specific programs!
2024 Registration Opens Soon!
JANUARY 2024
for returning campers
FEBRUARY 2024
for new families
Join our mailing list for updates below!
2024 Registration Opens Soon!
JANUARY 2024
for returning campers
FEBRUARY 2024
for new families
Join our mailing list for updates below!