CAMP TO BELONG – NEVADA 2007

When: June 9-10 Counselor Training
June 11-16 Camp

Where: Pathfinder Ranch in Mountain Center California
www.pathfinderranch.com

Would You Like To:
• Refer a sibling group?
• Volunteer as a camp counselor or planning committee member?
• Make a Contribution?

For information please contact Martha Carter at Child Focus of Nevada:
            (702) 436-1624
            Martha@childfocusnv.org

CTB Nevada – A Week of Firsts                
By Tracy Shaffner

I remember well the first time I went to camp – I was six years old.  I went to the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York, and stayed in a cabin called “The Chipmunk”- the smallest of 20 cabins in Brynilson’s Viking Village, a family campsite on beautiful Fourth Lake.  I spent a wonderful week swimming, roasting marshmallows, singing, dancing, watching deer, hoping to see bears, and catching toads…all side by side with my younger brother Daniel.  Until Dan and I graduated from high school, our family never missed a year going to camp.  Many of my happiest childhood memories were created with my brother, at that camp – he and I remain inseparable to this day.

On July 10, 2006, sixty-eight campers were welcomed at Pathfinder Ranch, a lovely and secluded campsite in the mountains above Palm Springs.  They came to experience the vision of Camp to Belong – to create childhood memories with siblings from whom they are separated.  Thus began a week of amazing “firsts” – for 59 campers, this was their first time at CTB.  For many of these children, it was their first opportunity to spend a meaningful amount of time with their siblings since their separation.  For some, it was the first time they had even seen their siblings in weeks or even months.  And of course, the campers weren’t the only ones experiencing “firsts” – of the 35 volunteer counselors at CTB-Nevada, 24 were attending for the first time.  Thankfully, our CTB founder Lynn Price, her sister Andi, our talented CTB-NV director Cristine Lindholm, and 7 veteran CTB counselors were on hand to guide us throughout the week!

The next five days were filled with activities designed to bring the campers closer to their siblings, and to help them build memories to sustain them when they are apart.  During the day, the kids enjoyed hiking, canoeing, archery, a ropes course, swimming, arts & crafts, horseback riding and rock climbing.  Some of these activities were “firsts” for the campers, and often the first time they had such experiences with a sibling.  As the camp photographer, I had the great privilege of watching these activities bond the campers – big brothers and sisters helped younger siblings, kids teased and encouraged one another, and uncertainty gave way to camaraderie as the siblings got to know and trust each other. 

Evenings at camp were designed to give siblings even more opportunities to build their relationships.  Monday night found the youth and volunteers around the fire for our opening campfire.  We were privileged to have Lynn, CTB’s founder, and her sister Andi, share their personal story.  At the ages of 8 and 10 they each learned they had a sister on the other side of their town. The story served as a wonderful encouragement for the campers, and it set the mood for the entire week.  Tuesday evening featured a luau with Hawaiian girls and a fire dancer, with many campers doing their very first on-stage “hula dance”.  On Wednesday, everyone attended another campfire, aptly called Inspiration Night. At this campfire, campers and counselors get to share their feelings about their siblings, their situation, and anything else close to their hearts.  After this emotional gathering, campers celebrated their birthdays together, many for the first time since their separation.  Child Focus of Nevada provided birthday cakes for all the campers (some was eaten and some was worn!), and the kids exchanged gifts that they chose for one another. 

Thursday’s Carnival saw the campers (and counselors!) playing carnival games, winning prizes, and gorging on popcorn, cotton candy and snow cones.  And at Friday’s closing campfire, campers shared their heartfelt feelings about camp, their siblings, and their time together.  They exchanged pillows they made for one another, designed to remind them of the love and connection that they share despite their separation.  For some campers, it was the first time they had openly expressed such feelings – truly a fitting ending in a wonderful week of “firsts”.

As I reflect upon Nevada’s first annual CTB, I cannot help but reflect upon my own happy memories of childhood and camping with my brother.  The campers might not entirely understand the vision of CTB right now, even as I didn’t realize then that my time with my brother would define my childhood.  But as I did when I was camping at Fourth Lake, our campers at Pathfinder Ranch created unforgettable experiences with their siblings, and these experiences will build a bridge for a lifetime relationship.  CTB helped many of the campers realize that living in foster care will only last (at most) until they are 18, but they will have their siblings forever.  I can’t imagine spending my childhood without my brother – CTB ensures that siblings in separate care have a chance to build the memories and relationships that will last a lifetime.  This year’s CTB-NV was just the beginning!