Camp, Mentoring Program and Leadership Development Programs

Camp:
Blooming Place for Kids provides safe and tested activities while providing happy experiences that last a lifetime for children who have come from horrific circumstances!

They have a chance to be with others who are coping with the adversity and uncertainty of growing up in foster care.  Our program is specifically designed to build self-confidence and allows children to safely enjoy the activities of a very traditional camp.  Between swimming and evening campfires, roasting marshmallows and hayrides, children whose lives have been gravely affected by neglect and abuse are transformed into just "kids." They have a chance to be with other children who cope every day with similar circumstances, situations and emotions, and they realize that they are not alone.

The campers develop special relationships with each other while sharing and learning to trust. Camp activities include:  Swimming, fishing trips, arts and crafts, theatre, skits, dancing, song time, tennis, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, ropes course, rock wall, hugs, hugs and more hugs.

Ropes Course: 
A ropes course is a challenging outdoor personal development and team-building activity.  The low ropes course takes place on the ground and the high ropes course is usually constructed in trees or made of utility poles.  A ropes course provides campers with a unique opportunity to work and play together on a series of problem-solving, group decision-making, and positive risk-taking activities. After the course, time is always made for the team to review the experience together and discuss the efforts made in helping one another and working together as a team to complete each element of the course.

Water Field Games:
Water field games are a series of a variety of relay games played in the field and entailing getting wet.  Laughter and screams are the best during water field games.  There may even be a “limbo” dance too!

Fishing Program:
The Anclote Key Anglers is a not for profit organization that focuses on four principals: Fishing, Family, Education and Charity. In one simple word “Destiny” brought us to Jan Horn and the “Blooming Place for Kids”. We team up with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission outreach coordinator Gina Russo to  provide a ray of hope and light to these children by interacting with them through the sport of fishing. The program does not allow us to forget what life has put these children through and to let them know one truth will always stay the same that we believe in them and will always care. We fish, teach, barbeque, laugh, dance and love. We at the Anclote Key Anglers enter every year with the “Blooming Place for Kids” having the expectation that somehow, someway we are going to make things better than the last. Yet every year we feel like we have never done enough.  I hope that feeling never changes. Captain David M Rieumont President Anclote Key Anglers

Leadership Development Program:
Young campers who transition out of the program after age 15 are invited to attend our leadership development program held during the summer.

Our intent with the Leadership Development Program is to provide our aging campers with a continued connection to our camp and to coach that next generation of staff.

The Leadership Development Program at camp helps to develop stronger leadership skills and helps our kids move from camp to the external world with confidence and effectiveness.  As a result of enhanced leadership skills learned at camp, kids are able to develop a sense of community and begin to participate in high-school extra curricular activities.  Grades are better and self confidence soars!

One–on–One Mentoring Program (Currently being established)

The One–on–One Mentoring program will match an adult mentor from the community with a child aged 8 to 18 who has attended any of our programs.  Mentors must commit to meeting with their mentee for 2–4 hours each week, and can assist with academics, social skills, and life skills.  Mentors may also plan fun activities to do together, such as attending local events, visiting museums, and attending sporting events.

It is our goal to make each mentoring relationship a successful and rewarding experience. All adult mentors will be carefully screened and are required to be fingerprinted. Blooming Place for Kids Mentoring Program will provide ongoing training and support to all mentors.  We are committed to developing satisfying and meaningful mentoring relationships that will be mutually beneficial to both mentors and youth mentees. 

Mentoring a child can be a very rewarding, life-changing experience for both the child and adult mentor. Our goals are to provide Blooming Place for Kids youth with positive adult role models as well as the additional support every child needs to make successful life choices beyond camp.  We also want to offer members of the community the rewarding opportunity to share their wisdom and life experiences in an effort to help support and enrich the lives of these neglected and abused children and young people growing up in foster care.

Hugging is a daily requirement at Blooming Place for Kids Camp!!!

Counselor Quote:  “I went to camp expecting to help kids and change lives, but never expected my life to be changed forever!”

All potential staff (including volunteers)are screened and a mandatory background check is completed prior to hiring.  Blooming Place for Kids performs an interview process for all potential staff, and then holds an orientation.  Staff and volunteers passing this process must attend an entire week of training, held prior to the campers’ arrival.  Applicants for senior staff must be at least 19 years of age and employment is contingent on references, criminal background check and completion of medical history.  We like to have our staff selected by mid-May at the latest. 

Camp work is demanding and requires very long hours without sleep, only a small amount of time off, and lacks privacy.  BUT, we play hard with our campers and the rewards are HUGE!  Staff learns patience, interpersonal skills, and makes lasting friendships.  Additionally, staff works as a “camp family” that believes in being a team, and learns that they can be as silly as possible which always puts a smile on a child’s face!

Transportation to and from camp is the responsibility of the foster parents, grandparents or Care Manager.  In the near future we hope to provide our campers with special arrangements for pick-up to and from camp.