Camp
Our flagship program is a six day, five night summer camp experience during which we reunite brothers and sisters in a safe, neutral, camp environment to create childhood memories together that they would not otherwise have due to living in separate homes.
Our signature programs are specifically designed to include sibling enhancement projects, life skills learning, and meaningful events that allow them to express their feelings among their siblings and others who are just like them.
Who
Camp is for 8 to 17-year-olds who are impacted by foster care and/or kinship care and are currently separated from at least one sibling. Please see the full eligibility criteria below.
WHAT
In addition to the Signature Programs listed below, campers will enjoy a variety of traditional activities at such as canoeing, archery, arts and crafts, and more!
WHEN and where
June 2nd - 7th, 2024 at Flat Rock River YMCA Camp
COST
Camp is provided at no cost to campers through the support of grants, corporate and individual donors.
WHY
Our mission is to encourage positive sibling connections for brothers and sisters living in separate foster or kinship care circumstances.
At Camp To Belong we believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to spend meaningful time with their brothers and sisters. All too often, children living in foster or kinship care are separated from their siblings -- missing out on the special relationship-building moments most of us take for granted.
These are the moments Camp To Belong works to create, so kids living in foster care are able to have positive childhood memories of their own.
Application PROCESS
Applications for Summer 2024 are now open. Please apply at the button below.
Camp will be June 2nd - June 7th, 2024 at Flat Rock River YMCA Camp.
Indiana siblings, 8-17 years old, who live in separate homes are eligible.
Once an application is received, our team will review in the order it is received and be in touch about next steps.
If your camper(s) application is accepted, a registration will then be required through Flat Rock YMCA. We recommend that the registration is completed soon after you learn of application acceptance, as we can only hold your camper(s) spot for a short time.
At least two sibling applications must submitted before we can begin to consider the camper.
Please be sure the application and registration are signed by the camper(s) legal guardian.
Signature Programs
Camper Eligibility
To be eligible for attendance at Camp to Belong Indiana Summer Camp, an applicant must meet all of the following requirements:
Is impacted by foster care and/or adoption and is currently separated from at least one sibling
Must be 8 years old by the first day of camp. Must be no older than 17 years old for the duration of camp
Lives in Indiana OR has an eligible sibling living in Indiana that has applied to attend camp
Must register to attend with at least one sibling
Desires to spend time with their sibling(s)
Has the developmental and cognitive abilities to understand the purpose of camp
Ability to self-manage in a large group setting
Ability to keep self safe (free of self-abusive/self-harming behaviors)
Does not display physical aggression toward siblings, peers, and/or adults
Does not display any physical aggression toward animals
Ability to maintain safe and appropriate boundaries with siblings, peers and adults
Does not experience severe sleep disorders, such as a chronic inability to sleep throughout the night, requiring awake overnight supervision
Does not display excessive behaviors that would greatly disrupt the focus of camp
Absolutely no concerns of sexually maladaptive behavior
Is not actively homicidal or suicidal in behavior or communications
Does not display behavior that requires restraint or ongoing 1:1 support or supervision