Partner Spotlight: ConnectMed & Camp Cosmos—Empowering Children Through Healing, Inclusion, and Joy

At the Foundation for Developmental Disabilities (FDD), we believe that every child deserves a safe, welcoming space to grow, heal, and discover their strengths. Our partnership with ConnectMed International and their extraordinary program, Camp Cosmos, brings that vision to life for children with craniofacial differences and intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs).

Camp Cosmos isn’t just a camp; it’s a year-round, therapeutic, inclusive community where children can express themselves through arts, movement, friendships, and culturally responsive support. For many families, Camp Cosmos fills a gap that traditional programming cannot meet.

Through this partnership, FDD proudly allocated $15,000 in Program Grant funding to strengthen ConnectMed’s efforts and increase access for families who otherwise could not participate.

Breaking Barriers Through Funding: How FDD Support Is Making an Impact

ConnectMed’s Camp Cosmos model provides wraparound therapeutic experiences that nurture:

• Psychosocial support and self-esteem.

• Inclusive arts and movement-based learning.

• Social-emotional development.

• Bilingual and culturally responsive programming.

• Family connection and community support.

FDD’s funding helped to:

1.      Remove Cost Barriers: Families facing complex medical journeys often experience financial hardship. By subsidizing participation costs, FDD ensures that children can access all Camp Cosmos programs—regardless of ability to pay.

2.      Strengthen the Therapeutic Team: Our funds support the training and development of future inclusive care providers, expanding the camp’s long-term capacity and reach.

3.      Support Year-Round Programming: Camp Cosmos isn’t limited to the summer months; it provides consistent therapeutic support year-round, including arts workshops, wellness activities, mentorship, and parent resources.

4.      Create Inclusive, Culturally Responsive Spaces: Many participants come from bilingual or multicultural families. FDD’s investment helps Camp Cosmos offer programming that honors and reflects these cultural identities.

Voices From the Program

As ConnectMed’s Executive Director, Rita Albert, beautifully shared:

“We are proud to offer these psychosocial programs fostering self-esteem and self-empowerment, especially through connecting with others going through similar experiences.”

Her words reflect precisely what Camp Cosmos delivers: connection, confidence, and community.

Through our partnership, Camp Cosmos aims to see ongoing, favorable outcomes such as:

·       Increased Access for Underserved Families: More families enrolled due to reduced or eliminated participation fees.

·       Strengthened Emotional Resilience for Participants: Children benefited from structured psychosocial support that helped them navigate medical, social, and developmental challenges.

·       A More Skilled and Inclusive Provider Pipeline: Future clinicians and care providers received hands-on training in inclusive, trauma-informed, and disability-affirming care.

·       A Supportive Community for Parents and Caregivers: Camp Cosmos provides families with resources, peer support, and a stronger connection to a community that understands their journey.

·       Joy, Creativity, and Confidence: From group art projects to movement workshops to simply forming new friendships, children left each session with visible confidence and joy.

Learn More About Camp Cosmos

FDD is honored to partner with ConnectMed in expanding meaningful, therapeutic, and culturally responsive experiences for San Diego’s children and families.

To learn more about Camp Cosmos and ConnectMed’s programs, visit: https://connectmed.org/camp-cosmos