When Hunter Brandt's asthma attacks, it can knock him back or even send him to the hospital.

It's worse this time of year when boys want to head outside because Brandt, 7, is also allergic to pollen, trees, grass and weeds. When his allergies are flaring, he has to stay inside. A recent attack sent him to the hospital for an overnight stay.

"I can't talk or breathe. It's hard," Brandt said.

"Last year's hospital stay was better than this one because I didn't have to get shots or oxygen."

Next month, Brandt will attend the Huff 'N' Puff Asthma Camp, a two-day camp for children suffering from asthma based on a program developed by the American Lung Association.

It teaches kids to recognize when their asthma might be acting up and how to deal with signals their body sends, said Kristi Hack, camp director.

For example, when a child's body is "green" it means it is suffering no breathing restrictions. "Yellow" tells a kid to slow down when the body starts to show signs of labored breathing. "Red" means to get the rescue inhaler and get the attack under control.

This year, the Casper College ladies volleyball team will come to play games with camp participants so they can practice the color system. The Wyoming Medical Center will bring an ambulance so kids can look inside. If they ever have to ride in one because of an asthma attack, perhaps it won't be so scary, Hack said.

"Our aim is to provide school-aged children, elementary through junior high, with education about the disease. There are many children across the United States who have asthma," said Hack, who suffers from asthma herself and just graduated Casper College's respiratory therapy program.

"We want them to know it's not a disease that has to keep them down and out."

It will be the second year for the camp in Casper and the second year that Brandt participates.

"We thought it would be a really good opportunity for him to get some education and what he can do to help himself," said Brandt's mother, Lisa Brandt.

"His asthma can affect him on a daily or a weekly basis. I liked that last year (camp counselors) took the opportunity to work with him. The education was phenomenal as well as the information for the family."

Asthma camps

There will be two asthma camps in Wyoming this year, one in Casper and another in Sheridan.

Casper

What: Camp Huff 'N' Puff for kids ages 5 to 13.

When:Aug. 16 and 17

Where: Casper Boys and Girls Club, main branch

Activities: T-shirt tie-dying, asthma education, games with members of the Casper College Lady T-Bird volleyball team, fly casting and fly-tying, special visit from the Wyoming Medical Center Ambulance Team. Lunch provided both days.

Registration: Deadline is Aug. 8 so organizers can get a good feel for numbers, but coordinator Kristi Hack said she will accept entries through the first day of the camp. Call Hack at 267-3749 to register.

Sheridan

What: Sheridan Asthma Camp for kids ages 7 to 13. Sponsored by Sheridan Memorial Hospital.

When: Aug. 10-13

Where: Camp Story

Cost: $95, grants available.

Registration/information: Call Sheridan Memorial Hospital at (307) 672-1169.