Prescott AZ (May 27, 2020) – Up to 50 foster children healing from trauma and supported by foster-care agencies in Yavapai County can participate in Catholic Charities Community Services first annual free Summer Day Camp from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from June 22-24.
The camp is open to past or present foster children ages 5-17 who have been identified as having high behavioral health needs because of trauma. Children can be referred by any foster-care licensing agency, Department of Children’s Services or family or behavioral health agency.
The three-day camp at Prescott Pines Camp, 855 E. School House Gulch Road, includes lunch and snacks. Caregivers must provide transportation to and from camp.
Coronavirus-driven safety protocols will be implemented including limiting age groups to 10 or less and taking each child’s temperature when they’re dropped off. All activities are outdoors and include outdoor play, arts and crafts, music, water activities and team-building activities. A full list of safety protocols can be found at https://www.prescottpines.org/
“These children are recovering from a wide range of traumatic issues and the camp offers a chance to get away, connect with others with similar circumstances and, most importantly, have fun,” said Candace Lea, program manager, therapeutic foster care.“The focus of the camp will be healing from trauma with an emphasis on Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) activities which are designed to meet complex needs of vulnerable children.”
TBRI uses Empowering Principles to address physical needs, Connecting Principles for attachment needs and Correcting Principles to disarm fear-based behaviors.
Children will be separated into appropriate age groups with 2 to 3 staff and volunteers assigned to every 10 children. For children 9-17 years, a daily drug and alcohol prevention component, either by video or in person, will be scheduled.
To register or find out more, call 480-599-1856, or email Candace Lea at clea@cc-az.org. For more information about Catholic Charities, visit http://www.CatholicCharitiesAz.org.