Not long after his stroke four and a half years ago, John Kindschuh, now 39, did something unusual. He, his wife, Cindy, and their two young children went to a camp for stroke survivors in Oregon, IL. Despite weakness on one side, shaking, and difficulty speaking, Kindschuh participated in sack races, went zip lining, and sang songs around a campfire during the four-day retreat. "For the first time since the stroke, I felt normal," recalls the environmental lawyer, who hopes to return to work soon. "It was also really important for my kids to see that we weren't the only family dealing with stroke."

The idea for a stroke camp originated with Marylee Nunley after her husband had a stroke in 2001. "I was frustrated as a caregiver. There were so many things I didn't know how to do and so many ways I didn't know how to cope," she recalls. After watching her sister and brother-in-law establish camps for children with cystic fibrosis in memory of their son who died of the disease, Nunley thought a similar concept might work for stroke patients.

"Those [cystic fibrosis] camps were amazing and so therapeutic for the children that we decided to try it for our stroke friends," she explains. She chose a weekend retreat format and held the first Retreat & Refresh Stroke Camp in 2004.

When she started hearing from more and more people who wanted to attend, she established Retreat & Refresh Stroke Camp as a nonprofit in 2007. Since then, Nunley, who is the director of the camps, has held 200 camps in 23 states, including North Carolina (Asheville); New Jersey (Basking Ridge); Montana (Red Lodge); and Arizona (Phoenix).

Fun and Games. Campers participate in typical activities such as sack races, swimming, and boating, which are adapted as needed, as well as discussion groups for survivors and caregivers. A music therapist is on staff to help facilitate singing for those with aphasia, and everyone participates in a drum circle. "Laughter and fun are often missing elements for survivors and their caregivers, and we provide both," says Nunley.

Camp Costs. The retreats are typically sponsored by hospitals, rehabilitation centers, grants, and private funding, so the cost for campers starts at $125 per adult, which includes lodging, meals, and all activities. Children ages 4 and under attend for free. Camps for young families like Kindschuh's run for four days, starting on a Thursday; others run for three days, starting on a Friday. All locations have private rooms with private bathrooms. A scholarship fund that helps cover costs is available, if needed.

Camp Candidates. Anyone who has had a stroke and can dress and eat on his or her own or with the help of a caregiver is eligible. The weekend retreats offer encouragement, connection, socialization, a chance to exchange information, relaxation, support, and some education about the lifelong journey of recovering from a stroke, says Nunley. "The main criteria are being able to take care of activities of daily living without assistance from camp staff and a willingness to try something new."

Kindschuh's experience was so positive that he now returns every year. "It's nice to see everyone's progress from year to year, including my own," he says. "I stay in touch with fellow campers, many of whom have become good friends. At stroke camp, we are defined by who we are, not by what we can't do."