Kids Kamp is designed for children living in families with alcohol, drug addiction, and mental health issues to be able to put aside their stress and heal.
Kids Kamp is a free, week-long camp for StarVista program clients and/or family members ages 8 to 12 years old. Nearly 20 children will be eligible for this life-changing 5-day and night camping experience this year, and we cannot wait to host it this August in the Sierra Foothills.
This camp is a culmination of the education and support that StarVista’s School-based programming offers and is provided at no cost to our families. Kids Kamp gives kids a chance to solidify the skills they have learned to take care of themselves as well as the opportunity to relax, make new friends, and “be a kid.”
Watch the video to hear Lucia*’s story, read by Erik Karff, LMFT, Program Coordinator & Mental Health Clinician for School-Based Services at StarVista.
Did you know that you can increase your gift through a company match? Ask your employer if they will match your Kids Kamp donation amount and take your giving to the next level!
Help a child navigate the challenges they are facing at home by sponsoring their week at Kids Kamp. Includes daily activities, lodging, healthy meals, counseling, supervision, and transportation.
Supply a Kamper with a Kamper Kit filled with wellness activities, arts and crafts, and supplies that they can use throughout the week.
Sponsor transportation for a Kamper. Transportation will be provided to and from the camp site.
Sponsor all meals for a Kamper during their week at camp.
Your generosity will help this year’s Kampers learn how to advocate for their health and wellbeing during this week-long program.
Join StarVista’s community of supporters, StarVista Visionaries, by pledging $1000+ per year for 5 years and help sustain our Kids Kamp summer program for the next 5 years to support over 100 children through this life-changing program.
Explore some of the fun activities and discussions held during a day at Kids Kamp to see how our Kamp counselors promote healthy habits and wellness.
From weekly groups in the school setting to individual sessions as well as groups in the school setting, the program expanded to include a more creative and exciting component, Kids Kamp. During the summer months, when Children’s Place was not offered, a whole week of child-focused activities was planned to bring home the message you matter, and we care.
Dear Friends,
I am reaching out to express my deepest gratitude for your continued support of Kids Kamp, a program that has been a beacon of hope and transformation for children since 1978. Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, we are able to provide 20 children, aged 8-12, with an unforgettable experience at Kids Kamp every summer at no cost to them and their families.
Kids Kamp is more than just a getaway; it is a place where children learn vital life skills. With the guidance of therapists and the support of their peers, they learn to regulate their emotions and communicate effectively. Last year, one child found the courage to open up about their feelings of unworthiness and being unlovable due to parental neglect. It was a profound moment for them to voice these feelings for the first time, and it was an honor to provide the support they needed to begin healing and building self-esteem.
Our program is unique in its approach to combining fun and classic camp activities such as hiking, stargazing, and campfires, with therapeutic and educational experiences. Children learn about healthy boundaries, relationships, and how to regulate their emotions in a way that is not typically found in other settings. This holistic approach is what sets Kids Kamp apart and is why it is so crucial to San Mateo County children and their families.
As we look forward to this coming Kids Kamp in August at Camp Lodestar, we are excited to continue this vital work and hope that we can count on your support once again. Your contribution is not just a donation; it is an investment in the lives of these deserving children, an opportunity for them to learn, grow, and change their lives for the better.
Sincerely,
Sara Larios Mitchell, Ph.D., MACP
CEO
Questions? Contact Nancy Quiggle, PhD, Director of School-Based and Clinical Services, at [email protected].
