Let’s face it, not all of the programs provided by Guilford County government are great, or even good; however, there is one program – now in its 8th year – that unquestionably brings spectacular results, and everyone familiar with the program seems convinced of that.
It’s “Camp Hope”– a camping and mentoring program that’s a big hit every summer with the special group of kids who take part.
The camp is for children “who’ve been affected by violence and abuse,” and the camp experience usually does a great deal to help them heal emotionally.
One of the many financial supporters of the program is the High Point Community Foundation and, on Thursday evening, July 18, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners will accept a grant of $16,305 from the foundation in order to help support the summer camping and healing experience for kids that have undergone emotional trauma.
When, after the camp, the youngsters show up at a county commissioners meeting each year and talk about their experiences, it is always an emotional time for the board.
Many of the participants speak of how the program was a highly positive life-changing event that greatly improved their emotional well-being and sense of self-worth.
The camp’s stated goal is “to break the generational outcomes of domestic violence through team building, evidence-informed programming, and high adventure, challenge-by-choice activities.”
The Guilford County Family Justice Center oversees the program.
According to county officials involved, “Camp Hope is a specialized program that fosters pathways to hope and healing for youth impacted by domestic violence and trauma through evidence informed camping and year-round mentoring. This unique program focuses on creating intentional and long-lasting connections with children and families seeking services from the Family Justice Centers in Greensboro and High Point.”
The program has grown tremendously since it began in 2017. It has, each year, increased the number of children participating, the number of families involved, and the number of youth and adult volunteers,
Also, the number of community partnerships has grown and very creative programming has been added to help the kids overcome their former troubles and get well past them.
In August of 2024, Guilford County will host its largest week of camp ever, with 85 children participating at YMCA Camp Weaver.
The expense per child to attend overnight camp is $750. However, all children attend at no cost.
The Camp Hope program is nearly 100 percent funded externally by local grants, individual donations, and corporate support from local businesses. The program is also heavily supported by community volunteers who contribute an average of 4,000 volunteer hours annually.
The High Point Community Foundation grant will provide funds to support the expenses associated with the nearly week-long overnight camp as well as year-round programming.
The camp’s stated goal is “to break the generational outcomes of domestic violence through team building, evidence-informed programming, and high adventure, challenge-by-choice activities.”
Last year, about 75 kids took part in the six-day, five-night sleepover camp that ran from Sunday, Aug. 13 to Friday, Aug. 18 at YMCA’s Camp Weaver in Greensboro.
Campers are “hand-chosen” by the staff at the county’s Family Justice Center along with the center’s partner organizations.
The camp follows the guidelines of Camp Hope America, an affiliate program of the Alliance for HOPE International.
Camp Hope focuses on three key elements:
- Challenging children to set daily achievement goals by pursuing activities with perceived danger or risk – like horseback riding and sliding along zip lines – while allowing them to opt out if the challenge if it “creates unmanageable stress or fear.”
- Affirmation and praise for developing observed character traits.
- Themed, small group discussion and activities meant to help children set goals and then pursue those goals.
After last year’s camp, the director of the Guilford County Family Justice Center Catherine Johnson said she sees always the incredible results with her own eyes.
“This program has proven results,” she said. “The last seven years of programming have shown positive outcomes for the young people who go to the camp and who participate in our year-round programming. It really changes the trajectory of their lives.”
She also said after last year’s camp session, “Camp counselors have a tremendous impact on our camper’s experiences, and this experience is life-changing for both the camper and counselor. HOPE counselors represent youth leaders from Guilford County high schools and NC colleges and universities. They are the champions for youth attendees and aid immensely in our goal to end the cycle of violence and change the destinies of youth exposed to trauma.”
