The Department of Children and Families is expanding its “Camps for Champions” to more than a dozen locations across the state.
The camps are meant to build the character and self-esteem of foster children in Florida using high profile mentors, and opened in 2009 with the help of NFL star Myron Rolle, who joined the effort to teach fitness, wellness, and leadership to foster kids. In addition to the star studded cast of mentors the camps employ, they also feature programs like “Camp Sib” which is meant to reunite siblings separated after being put into foster care.
“We want foster children to know that they’re just like regular kids. You know lots of kids go to summer camp and it’s one of the things that foster children because of circumstances from no fault of their own, may not have had the opportunity to participate in. So, just simply going to a summer camp, going away for a week, being able to deal with other types of people, other children, who they don’t know- it’s a great thing for them, it’s a great opportunity," said DCF spokesperson Erin Gillespie.
For more information on the Camps for Champions log on to the Department of Children and Families website.