Sibling Camp
Camp HepSIBah Mends Broken Family Bonds
Each year, scores of siblings living in different group, foster or adoptive homes reconnect at Camp HepSIBah, open to current Hephzibah foster children and their siblings, to create positive, shared childhood memories that will last a lifetime.
75 percent of all children in substitute care are separated from one or more of their siblings because many foster families don’t have the room or the resources to care for sibling groups. It is often the last, and most devastating loss for children who have already been separated from their parents, home, school and community.
Camp HepSIBah is made possible by private funding from individuals, businesses, corporations and foundations. To learn more about funding this vital program or becoming a corporate or community sibling camp sponsor or volunteer, please contact us or donate today.
Learn More About Camp HepSIBah
Camp HepSIBah History
Hephzibah founded Camp HepSIBah in 2003 to give separated brothers and sisters the chance to spend time together. Every summer since then, brothers and sisters living in different group, foster or adoptive homes have reunited at a rustic woodland retreat to create shared childhood memories that they will cherish in the years to come.
Camp HepSIBah Experience
For many of the children, Camp HepSIBah is their first summer camp experience. The week is filled with activities such as canoeing, archery, rock climbing, cookouts and gathering around the campfire for songs and s’mores—as well as opportunities for separated siblings to reconnect and form deep emotional bonds that will support and sustain them throughout their lives.
The last night of camp is one of joy tempered by sadness, as all of the children realize that they will soon be separated from their siblings again. But the week has worked its magic: many of the children are inspired to take a more active role in staying in touch with their siblings through letters, emails and phone calls when they return to their group, foster or adoptive homes.
Camp HepSIBah Funding
Camp HepSIBah is made possible by private funding from individuals, businesses, corporations and foundations. To learn more about funding this vital program or becoming a corporate or community sibling camp sponsor or volunteer, please contact us or donate today.
Junior Counselor Position
Each summer at camp, we offer junior counselor positions to youth between ages 15-19 years old who live in a Hephzibah foster care home the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and become positive role models for younger campers. This program helps these senior campers increase their job readiness skills while improving their self-confidence and self-esteem as they are trusted with more responsibilities. Each junior counselor applies for the position and receives training for not only the job but the process of applying for one, helping them prepare for life beyond foster care.