Camp HOPE America
Denton County Friends of the Family
Providing a pathway to give children their childhood back.
One week can be the beginning of something much bigger.
What is Camp HOPE?
Camp HOPE – Denton County Friends of the Family is affiliated with Camp HOPE America, a trauma-informed, evidence-based camping and mentoring program proven to increase hope and resiliency in youth exposed to domestic violence.
Camp HOPE is a free, week-long overnight summer camp where children and teens impacted by trauma, abuse, and domestic violence rediscover joy, build resilience, and begin breaking the generational cycle of violence. Our trauma-informed approach recognizes the impact violence can have on children while focusing on their strengths, potential, and capacity for healing.
What is Pathways?
Hope Doesn’t End When Camp Does
Camp HOPE is just the beginning. Through Pathways, youth stay connected with their Camp HOPE community throughout the year through monthly group mentoring activities designed to strengthen relationships, build skills, explore opportunities, and keep hope moving forward.
Pathways activities explore:
- Personal Development. Building confidence, self-awareness, communication, decision-making, and other skills that help youth navigate life.
- Healthy Relationships. Exploring communication, boundaries, respect, trust, and the qualities of healthy and supportive relationships.
- STEAM Exploration. Hands-on opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics through creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving.
- College & Career Exploration. Introducing youth to educational and career possibilities and helping them begin thinking about their own future.
- Future Goal-Setting. Helping youth identify their hopes and dreams, set meaningful goals, and recognize the steps they can take to reach them.
- Mentorship & Connection. Providing consistent opportunities to build positive relationships with peers and trusted adults.
“I’m very thankful for the experience given to my children. Without your help they wouldn’t be able to attend summer camp. My children have made friends. They feel cared for, respected and that they matter. Thanks for the memories you have created in their hearts.”
“Camp HOPE has changed our family in so many ways. After years of recovery and the financial ups and downs after abuse and custody financial fallout there are things the kids have had to stop attending for different reasons, but Camp HOPE & Pathways has been a consistent activity and familiarity that has kept them (and myself) feeling secure about their participation. For me as the mom to see them get excited for the next event and be able to say “yes, absolutely you can go” is so empowering and takes so much stress away, knowing they are in a safe, fun healing place.
Watch the Video Below & Learn How Camp Hope Changes Lives!
WANT TO GET INVOLVED?
I’m a Parent/Caregiver
Camp HOPE & Pathways is designed for children and teens who have been impacted by domestic violence and who may benefit from a safe, supportive, trauma-informed peer and mentoring environment. Camp HOPE is available to eligible youth ages 7 to 17. Participation is determined through DCFOF’s intake process. Parent or guardian consent is required. Our Camp HOPE team can help families understand the program, explore whether it may be a good fit, and identify resources that can support their family’s needs. Interested in learning more? Call our Crisis Line at 940-382-7273.
I Want to Volunteer
Camp HOPE depends on caring adults who believe in the potential of young people. Our volunteer HOPE Mentors help create the relationships and experiences that make Camp HOPE and Pathways meaningful. By volunteering, you’ll get to be a consistent, caring adult in a young person’s life. You’ll help them build trust, develop healthy relationships, and dream bigger for their future. Mentoring can really make a difference in a young person’s life—helping them succeed in school, boosting their confidence, and teaching them essential life skills.
As volunteer HOPE Mentor, you have the opportunity to:
- Encourage and support youth
- Participate in Pathways activities throughout the year
- Help create positive childhood experiences
- Model healthy communication and relationships
- Celebrate youth strengths and accomplishments
- Be part of a community committed to breaking the cycle of violence
You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to be willing to show up, listen, encourage, and believe in a young person’s potential.
For more information, please contact Camp HOPE Coordinator, Taylor Gleitz at 940-387-5131 ext 245 or tgleitz@dcfof.org