Camp Opportunity 2017 Annual Report

OUR PROGRAMS

CAMP OPPORTUNITY Camp Opportunity of Maryland began in 1985 with the first week- long residential camp for abused and neglected children ages 8-11. Our community of volunteers come from all over Maryland and beyond. Our campers are referred by case workers in the Social Services Department of Baltimore City, and multiple counties in Maryland. We are a certified youth camp with the state of Maryland Department of Mental Health and Hygiene. At camp, we provide children an opportunity to experience respect from others in a setting where they are safe. Our approach empowers them to establish (in many cases for the first time ever) healthy relationships with adults and peers in an atmosphere that is supportive. Those relationships nurture their uniqueness, their talents and capabilities. Activities and classes at each of our camps are designed to coach campers in problem-solving strategies and give abundant positive reinforcement that builds self-esteem. Each camper is assigned to his or her personal counselor whose role is to support, guide, facilitate discovery, and be a friend.

These activities, combined with a daily theme class that focuses on self-worth, self- awareness, and self-esteem, help campers: ○ Develop a self-image as a person of worth ○ Learn to accept the differences of others ○ Develop leadership qualities ○ Set and pursue positive goals ○ Improve their ability to handle stress ○ Develop problem solving skills ○ Develop the ability to make decisions and be responsible for those decisions ○ Recognize that each person is a unique individual with special worth

○ Establish the ability to trust

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