How can I get involved with Camp Discovery?
Asked and Answered
December 1, 2025
There are several ways to support Camp Discovery, the Academy’s free summer camp for kids (ages 8-16) with moderate and severe skin conditions.
Refer a camper: Camp Discovery needs participants to ensure its ongoing success. Dermatologists and parents can make referrals using AAD’s online form. Within a few weeks of submission, an Academy staff member will contact the family to answer questions and provide more information. The recommended referral deadline is May 15, but they will be accepted as long as slots remain available.
Volunteer: Each location and session need counselors and medical staff — dermatologists, residents, physician assistants, and nurses — to care for campers during their stay. Applications are available each year in mid-January — for 2026 it will be open Jan. 10-March 31 — and require three references and one letter of recommendation. Previous experience working with kids is not mandatory. AAD covers all volunteers’ costs, including transportation.
Donate: Camp Discovery is cost-free for families thanks to financial support for AAD. Supporters can donate directly to the organization or host a fundraising event to directly benefit the program. To learn more about organizing a fundraiser, contact Sarah Smoak, philanthropic relations specialist, at ssmoak@aad.org.
More questions? Call (847) 240-1737 or email camp operations manager Janine Mueller at jmueller@aad.org.
Learn how to support Camp Discovery
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