Rotary Cool Kids Camp

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Monday Oct 13 2008
12:21 AM

Children who have experienced sexual abuse or family violence have been put at additional risk for

50 Campers at our 2002 Camp

depression, anxiety, suicidal feelings and future substance abuse. More than 90 percent of incarcerated criminals were exposed to family violence as children.

The Rotary Club of Sebastopol recognized the need to create a program to aid in the healing of these children and in August 2000 the first Cool Kids Camp was held.

Cool Kids Camp is a 5 day residence camp for youths 8 to 12 from abused backgrounds. The program was developed in partnership with Westminster Woods and local non-profit agencies who offer recovery and therapy programs for families who have experienced abuse and violence.

The camp is intentionally not a camp offering therapy or counseling. Rather, it is intended to provide children a break from a stressful family life, where they can just be kids who could play and have fun in a healthy environment with positive role models.

The campers participate in craft projects, swimming, ropes course, and environmental studies. On the first day of camp the campers receive a Cool Kids Camp T-shirt and on the last day of camp they all receive school supplies for the up-coming school year. Sleeping bags are provided for campers who don't have one.

The Camp has evolved into a multi county program serving children from Sonoma and Napa Counties and camp 2002 hosted 24 children from Napa County alone.

A second Camp was established in Humboldt County in 2002.

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