Being separated from siblings is often devastating to the foster kids that come into our care, especially during some of the most vulnerable years of their lives. That’s why we take Camp Heph-SIB-ah so seriously. Every year we fill a bus (sometimes two!) with foster kids and their siblings for a three day summer adventure all about reinforcing that sibling bond: siblings in the pool, siblings in canoes, sibling olympics, sibling rock climbing! Our staff and junior counselors, often adults that have gone through the foster system themselves, return summer after summer to facilitate and mentor siblings as they reconnect after months or sometimes years of being apart.
Palpable anticipation was felt as everyone filed out of the bus on day one at Camp Whitcomb in Wisconsin. The pool was our first stop, followed by some team-building games to get everyone in the sibling spirit! The evening bonfire set the tone for camp: a silly, vulnerable place to eat s’mores and create memories.
Day two began with sibling canoeing, where groups divided up the steering and rowing tasks amongst themselves and learned how best to navigate on the water. Following another luxurious dip in the pool and a magic show, it was time to tackle the climbing wall. Kids and their siblings helped each other up the wall, conquering their fears while pushing themselves in a new way together.
Day three was all about celebration. Each child and each sibling group were given the opportunity to showcase their unique talents for art, athleticism, music, and dance across a variety of activities. A carnival with karaoke, face painting, and balloon art set the stage for a camp-wide water balloon fight and a talent show to close out the camp.
Thanks to you – our supporters, donors, and friends – our kids and their siblings were given more than 72 uninterrupted hours of bonding and memory-making. Siblings need to grow beyond the limited visitation hours and form lasting memories, and with your help, Camp Heph-SIB-ah was able to fill that need for another year.
Donate to Next Year’s Sibling Camp!