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Camp Hope & Project Pathways

Creating Pathways to Hope & Healing

Camp HOPE America is the first camping and mentoring initiative in the United States to focus on children exposed to domestic violence. Its “Challenge by Choice” program empowers children by recognizing and fostering character traits through a six-day camping program and monthly mentoring program.

By giving children the tools to experience HOPE, we can significantly decrease the instances of domestic violence and other trauma in one generation, create safer communities, and lower our prison population.

What are Camp Hope and Project Pathways?

The program includes a week of overnight camp and year-round activities. Campers engage daily in various activities, from field games to rock climbing, tubing, high and low ropes, art projects, and silly camp songs. They are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and conquer new challenges, fostering personal growth and resilience.

Project Pathways is the year-round piece of the Camp HOPE program. The monthly gathering creates a safe and nurturing community for the participants and their families. The events are varied, ranging from team-building activities to Social-Emotional Learning activities.

How does a child get into Camp HOPE and Project Pathways?

It is a referral process.

  1. Referrals can either come from an agency or a caregiver.
  2. A meet-and-greet will be scheduled with a potential camper, caregiver, and the Camp HOPE Manager. At this meeting, it will be determined if the child is ready for camp or needs to start with Project Pathways first.
  3. If the potential camper is approved for Camp HOPE, then a Camp Hope registration form will be sent to the caregiver. This form will include personal information, health history, release of liability, waivers, photo release, custody arrangements, etc.
Outline of a human head in profile with a heart shape inside, symbolizing mental health or emotional well-being, set against an orange background.

Mindfulness

Each morning, campers and staff will learn the importance of bringing awareness

to their senses, thoughts, and emotions.

Icon of person stretching arm over head on turquoise background.

Hook Activities

Hook Activities are short team-building exercises done in the morning to introduce the Truth Statement of the day. The purpose is to get campers engaging with the curriculum in a more kinesthetic way.

Icon of a log cabin with a chimney, shown in white outline on a teal background.

Cabin Time

Campers will have 30 minutes to read about a HOPE Hero; someone who has exhibited and lived out the Truth Statement of the day. Camp counselors will lead a brief discussion with the provided questions about the HOPE Hero and where the campers see the story intersecting with their own lives.

Icon of a campfire with logs and flames, shown in white outline on an orange background.

Campfire

We will end each day with a campfire and songs. We will also reflect on the day’s activities and how they relate to the Truth Statement of the day. This is a part of the evidence-based curriculum. Character Trait Awards will be given to each camper by the end of the camp week.

Camp Hope America Affiliate logo, showing a path leading toward a sunrise, symbolizing hope and progress.

Camp Hope

We are a proud affiliate of Camp Hope America. If you have questions regarding the YMCA of Rock River Valley Camp Hope and Project Pathways program, please contact:

Paula Capone
Camp HOPE & Project Pathways Manager
pcapone@rockriverymca.org
815-491-8227

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, as long as the caregiver approves.

We will bus the campers to Camp Benson.

YES!

All YMCA Camp HOPE and Project Pathways staff are trained, CPR certified, and
background checked. Studies show that overnight camp also improves overall happiness in many children and can help kids learn how to navigate social situations later in life. Sleepaway Camp provides a unique landscape for children to build independence, self-esteem, and, most of all, resilience. YMCA Camp Benson (our partner camp) in Mt. Carroll, IL, is an ACA-acredited camp. (American Camping Association). This accreditation means that Camp Benson maintains and is up-to-date to ensure safety measures for all campers and staff.

We are trying to build the camper’s confidence and want them to experience camp fully. We encourage you to write letters to your camper, which they can open each day at camp.

No worries. We will have them start with our year-round program, Project Pathways.

No, it will remain private with Camp HOPE. However, you can give us permission to add your information to the YMCA database.

Three young girls walk along a forest trail with their arms around each other, surrounded by green foliage. A group of campers can be seen further up the path.