by Lorine Parks

An enthusiastic Byron Nash told us about “Camp To Belong” in Orange Country.  It is a one-week sleep-away camp experience for foster children who have been separated by “The System” from their siblings, and a chance to reunite with them at the brand-new Outdoor Educational Center in Irvine Regional Park.

 
  In Orange County, nearly half of all foster children are separated from their siblings, through no fault of their own, but as a result of being placed in foster care.  Byron is a former Rotary Club president and also a former foster child who at age 3 was sent to a child labor camp.  He has made this reunion of siblings his special concern.  Thanks to the work of the Eddie Nash Foundation, siblings are located from as far away as Minnesota and New Mexico, and brought together for a one week reunion.

  We saw a film of normal happy campers meeting with their biological siblings.   But in addition to ordinary camp activities, these kids organized a birthday party for themselves, and did scrapbooking, all designed to bridge the gap and strengthen the childhood bonds for those torn from their family ties. 

  During the week of Camp To Belong, the young people connect with their siblings.   Volunteer counselors, at a ratio of one counselor to every two kids, help them and this experience has been life-changing for these counselors too.

  It costs about $750 for each camper’s week, or $75,000 for 1000 kids.  Reports are that after reunions, the children improve in school. For example, an eighth grader working up to his own grade level from third grade level performance.  It is estimated that about 46% of foster family children do not graduate from high school when they leave the system of state care at age 18.

  When you consider how much more society pays when children fail, it makes sense to invest in these kids.   Otherwise, so many end up incarcerated or on welfare.  Camp To Belong makes a difference.

   California is home to over 55,000 foster children, the most of any state in the country.  At present a California Assembly Bill has been proposed. AB 12, to expand foster housing up to the age of 21.   The Eddie Nash Foundation, an international tax-deductible organization, 501 c 3, was founded to create awareness and support for victims of violence and abuse.  Camp To Belong has been helping to break that cycle since 1995. It receives most of its support through private contributions.  If you are interested in helping, contact Byron Nash at info@camptobelongoc.org