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Support

Camp Pooka - New York

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Camp Pooka

In 2024, Camp will launch our newest program, Camp Pooka, named after the nickname my brother used to call me. Camp Pooka will be a calming, peaceful retreat that offers families strategies and SUPPORT for dealing with grief and loss. Doing my research, I realized that there were not many programs that address grief as a family unit and saw the need to create a retreat that celebrates the loved ones lost while creating a community that provides coping strategies to help deal with the loss. Nor were there family-based programs that focused on celebrating life and used performing arts to heal from their grief. My goals for the program are simple.

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1. To bring together families that have been facing isolation due to grief.

2. To provide family classes that help teach better coping skills and allow expression of grief in a healthy manner.

3. To provide our families with a place to connect with others so that they can find support in those that have also lost a member of their family and stay connected throughout the year

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Social

Camp Alex - Upstate New York

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Camp Alex is a family-based program located in Upstate New York that serves families who have a child with a special need or a life-threatening illness. Camp Alex is honor of Alex Green, who recently lost his life to his seizure disorder.

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Camp will focus on supporting these youth/young adults by providing opportunities for them to

interact with their peers in a bully free environment. Our goals are to connect them with others that have special needs that have had a hard time making friends or finding outlets to help them build a sense of community. Those that participate in the program will be invited for the retreat which will take place during the holidays to offer hope and love to our families.

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Samples of activities:

• BBQ/Scavenger Hunt/Team Building

• Movie Nights

• Local Activities

• Family Game night

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Connect

Camp SoDak HeArts – South Dakota

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Camp SoDak HeArts is a family-based program located in the Black Hills of South Dakota and serves the Exceptional Family Military Program on Ellsworth AF Base.  The goal of this program is to connect these families with resources and the support needed to become stronger and healthier caregivers.

Camp will host activities that connect “exceptional” military families together throughout the

year while helping them identify resources for family members that have a special need/mental

health issue. Camp will be focusing on connecting this special population with other caregivers

that might feel isolated due to the circumstance in which they are living (single parent, parent

deployed, family member has special need/mental health). Those that participate throughout the

year will be invited to attend the family retreat.

 

Samples of activities include:

• The Charm Farm Family Farm Day (BBQ)

• Art/Music Therapy afternoons/Parent Workshops

• Bowling Nights

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