Camp allows separated foster siblings to unite

Nationwide, 70 percent of kids who enter foster care are separated from one or more siblings. Camp to Belong exists to help maintain and re-build sibling relationships, starting six days at a time.

Cristine Lindholm, sibling preservation chairwoman for Child Focus, the nonprofit that operates Camp to Belong, said the camp program was founded in 1995 by Lynn Price, who had grown up in the foster care system in Las Vegas. At age 8, Price discovered that she had a biological sister who lived across town. But she and her sister were only able to develop a relationship as young adults.

Because of that traumatic experience, Lindholm said, Price wanted to spare other sibling groups the same ordeal -- or at least soften it somewhat. This summer, there will be seven Camp to Belong programs across the United States.

The program for Clark County children and teens is at Pathfinder Ranch in California. For six days in June, as many as 80 kids will be able to spend time together with siblings they rarely or never see.

"It's a family/biological connection to make these kids feel whole," Lindholm said. "It doesn't mean they have to get placed together, but they can at least have a relationship."

A large part of the time at camp, she said, is spent doing "normal camp activities," such as canoeing, horseback riding, archery, rock climbing, hiking and swimming. There also is some therapeutic sibling bonding, she said, generally through art therapy. For example, the siblings create pillows of muslin, on which they can write messages to each other.

"They make a little message and decorate the pillow and stuff it," she said. "They do pillow presentations throughout camp; each sibling group will go up onstage."

The kids also participate in scrapbooking activities with photos developed from disposable cameras provided to them.

"Camp to Belong is about giving them memories they might not otherwise get," Lindholm said.

Throughout the year, Child Focus organizes other sibling-preservation activities, such as picnics and baseball games, and a Camp to Belong reunion is planned for the fall.

To qualify for the camp, kids must be age 8 to 18 and living apart from a brother or sister because of foster care, adoption or placement with a relative. Lindholm said Child Focus especially would like to get more adopted kids involved.

To make Camp to Belong a reality, Lindholm said, 40 volunteer counselors are needed who are willing to make an eight-day commitment. Money -- about $100,000 -- also is needed.

"We're well on our way, but funding is always an issue," she said. "I'd like to have two years in the bank. The last three years, we've been raising it and having camp. We don't have a big surplus."

To volunteer, contribute or refer a potential camper, call Child Focus at 436-1624. For more information on Camp to Belong, visit www.camptobelong.org.

Contact reporter Heidi Knapp Rinella at hrinella@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0474.