Department of Pediatrics
Department of Pediatrics
The Department of Pediatrics

Genetics - PKU Camp

The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston is dedicated to improving the health and welfare of all infants, children, and adolescents.


Camp Phever

The staff of the Division of Medical Genetics have planned and participated in Camp Phever, a six day summer camp for children and teens with phenylketonuria (PKU) and their siblings ages 6-18, since the camp began in 1997. Camp is held each July at Camp for All in Burton, Texas (www.campforall.org).

PKU is a rare, inherited metabolic disorder that can result in neurological problems without proper medical and dietary treatment, which begins shortly after birth and continues throughout life. Some of the neurological problems can include behavior problems, loss of IQ points, learning disorders and white matter disease of the brain. Treatment involves frequent blood tests and a very restricted diet. If PKU is well controlled throughout life, normal development and life span can be expected.

The goal of the camp is to enable these children with PKU to understand and help control their diet and health in future years, especially in the vulnerable teen years. In addition to the important dietary information received, the camp provides campers with the necessary interaction with others facing the same daily challenges and will invite an open dialogue on how to deal with these very difficult issues. PKU-affected children rarely have the opportunity to meet and interact with other PKU-affected children.

At Camp Phever, the campers can enjoy a normal summer camp environment while meeting the needs of their specialized diets. Campers enjoy fishing, swimming, horseback riding, ropes course, arts and crafts, archery, dancing, sports, biking and nature trails. Campers are also provided the opportunity to try new foods and formula.

For more information about the camp or to be placed on our mailing list, contact:

Barbara Dominguez, RN
Camp Director  
713-500-5765  
barbara.w.dominguez@uth.tmc.edu