Who Is Camp To Belong?

Camp To Belong Georgia is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization reuniting brothers and sisters placed in separate foster, adoptive or kinship homes through summer camp programs and year round events. 

Camp To Belong believes that maintaining the sibling bonds of brothers and sisters will inspire them to rise above their circumstances through the healing comfort of these relationships. The CTB flagship events are summer camps, however Camp To Belong is not “just a camp.” Camp To Belong has an ongoing commitment, 365 days a year, to educating the nation regarding the plight of siblings separated through foster care and other out-of -home care.

Mission

The mission of Camp To Belong is to reunite siblings placed in separate foster homes or other out-of-home care for events that encourage emotional empowerment, social maturation, positive outlook, and fun and sibling connection. Secondly, we seek to serve as the catalyst for system changing solutions regarding sibling policy, recruitment of foster and adoptive families for siblings and best practice among child welfare professionals both domestically and internationally.

There are currently almost 600,000 children living in foster care in the United States, with 75% separated from at least one sibling. Add the number of siblings separated by adoption, kinship care, and combinations whereby one child may live with a parent and another placed in out-of-home care, and we then have many more children who are being torn from a birth right - their siblings. They are void of the opportunity to learn and experience family interaction alongside unconditional love. Brothers and sisters are frequently taken for granted, yet they are often the first ones turned to for unconditional love and support, which could be especially vital in out-of-home care situations. Plus, siblings are generally the longest relationship experienced in life.

Through signature programs like the Art Expression, Sibling Enhancement, Life Skills, Service Learning, family celebrations, and mentoring, individuals and their sibling groups are able to uncover and express their feelings toward their siblings in a creative way through structured programs. One example of an art expression project is the making of sibling pillows, where siblings create and provide one another with a pillow personalized for them from their sibling. These cherished gifts are constant reminders of their week at camp.

Other programs, such as the Sibling Enhancement program, designed as an intervention tool for sibling groups who are struggling to communicate with each other after lengthy separations, opens communication and subsequent healing between brothers and sisters whose relationship has been fragmented due to their separation.

The Camp To Belong summer camp is the only program of this type in the country and currently operates in six states serving children nationally and continues to expand from Colorado to other states, Canada, London and now Georgia! We will hold our first summer camp here in Georgia summer 2008!

How You Can Help!

We welcome your support and invite you to engage in our journey to Give Siblings Their Right to Reunite®. Your monetary commitments and priceless volunteer contributions will allow us to achieve our goal of having our first camp in the summer of 2008! We welcome your time, commitment and donations. If you would like to make a contribution, volunteer or sponsor the organization or an event, please call us at 678-595-6062. Currently we are seeking assistance in the following areas:

§ Steering Committee Members

§ Counselors (approximately 35 people)

§ Volunteers (to serve on various committees, camp planning activities, fundraisers, etc.)

§ Community Partners

§ Event Planners (volunteer basis)

§ Contributions, donation and monetary support of all kinds!