My sister has been and will be my friend … forever
The days of sitting around the campfire on a brisk evening wrapped in your sleeping bag, gazing under the stars at summer camp may be long gone, but not forgotten. Youthful memories last a lifetime. Summer camps, regardless of their name or purpose, geographic region, or focused theme, collectively accomplish a similar goal; they strive to enhance the personal development of youth. Typical activities toward this goal may include horseback riding, swimming, rock climbing; the list is endless.
Imagine a camp that it is more than typical and doesn’t follow tradition. The counselors are not paid summer staff; they are volunteers from all walks of life, of all ages, coming together for eight days. The campers are not dropped off at camp by their parents; they arrive on buses some with their siblings, some waiting for their siblings. This camp has an intrinsic purpose. Giving siblings the right to reunite. And reunite they do!
The vision is that of Lynn Price, a former youth-in-care, who learned at age eight that she had a biological sister living across town, Andi. When Lynn was a junior in high school, she received an invitation from Andi to spend a weekend with her at college. As Lynn got out of the car to greet her sister, Andi whispered in her ear, “Can I introduce you as my little sister?” It was this pivotal moment for Lynn Price when she realized she had no happy childhood memories with her sister.
In 1995, the first ever sibling reunion camp was born. Lynn named it Camp To Belong (www.camptobelong.org). It has since grown from one national site into an organization with international branches serving over 700 youth a year. This is a camp that brings brothers and sisters together who have been separated while living in foster care or other out of home care arrangements. They don’t see each other often, or often enough, and they are not living together as most of them wish they could.
Creating memories is not the only great reward the sibling groups are able to reap. They arrive at camp in an environment free of the pressures of daily life-in-care: stereotypes, supervised visitations, individuals who are sometimes too busy to care. They are welcomed into an environment with an insurmountable energy, acceptance and attention. Campers play, laugh, cry, rejoice, and create memories with each other. They do what kids do best; they are themselves. Everyone is in the same situation. No explanation is needed; nor does anyone ask. The campers know they are not alone. They feel a sense of real belonging among one another.
Standing on his tip-toes trying to reach the sink to wipe up splashed water in hopes of being awarded the “Golden Mop” for the cleanest cabin, one seven year old boy voices the thought of many: “Can I stay here forever. I promise I’ll keep cleaning. I don’t need to stop. You don’t even have to remind me. I don’t want to leave tomorrow. Please. My brothers and I are having fun.” The heart felt expression is one that leaves you at a loss for words.
The hope of those who work tirelessly throughout the year to fundraise, program activities, recruit volunteers, is to allow campers to create a sense of community with their siblings. Camp To Belong strives to instill a connection that cannot be taught, but only learned through experiencing quality time together. Camp To Belong signature programming involves amazing evening activities and daily events including art activities geared towards easing the pain of separation. Having the opportunity to sew pillows, write birthday cards, and create scrapbooks teaches siblings there is someone like me.
That is the great part of camp; brothers and sisters are together in a quality setting. It gives the youth a chance to safely create new and better memories than those with which they have lived.
“If I could have only one gift, on my birthday or at Christmas, just one, that gift would be Camp To Belong,” said Anthony, the night before he left camp. He and his brothers live 1400 miles apart. He sees his brothers, but once a year. The camp is a point of inspiration and motivation for the campers. They learn to advocate for their rights; their right to reunite.
The days of sitting around a campfire on a cool evening wrapped in your sleeping bag, nudged against your sibling, outdoors underneath the stars doesn’t seem to be that cold anymore. With the warm embrace of the developing relationship, the campers are able to lead optimistic lives outside of Camp To Belong. For children and adults alike, Camp To Belong is truly a point of inspiration.
Thank You Jillian for the many special memories that we were so fortunate to share!
If you would like to make a donation imagine yourself standing on the edge of a river. You skip a stone across the water. The ripples extend out as you feel confident that your thoughts, words, actions have touched someone, somewhere. If this sounds like you, please donate online today.
For further information please contact Jeff Grandy (p) 702.436.1624 or 702.539.3241, (e) jeff@childfocusnv.org