SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - With a little more than two weeks to go before the annual camping trip for San Diego County foster kids, the county is recruiting volunteers. If adopting a child isn't the right fit for you, but you'd like to be a role model and make a difference in the lives of foster kids, consider becoming a Camp Connect volunteer.
Camp Connect, sponsored by Rivers of Hope, is a program for siblings who are separated in San Diego County's foster care system, giving kids who don't live together a chance to be together a few times a year.
"It's a series of events that you can hang out with your siblings when you don't get to see them," a child said.
The highlight of the year for siblings Karla, Thalia and Sergio is the annual four-day camp.
"It was really fun because, well we didn't sleep in the same cabin, boys were separated from girls, but we got to do almost every activity together," Sergio said.
"I see him once a month, so seeing him for like, staying the night, is awesome, because I get to know that the next morning he's there," his sister said.
For 12-year-old Katherine and her 14-year-old sister Rossy, and countless other brothers and sisters across San Diego, the time together is priceless.
"I think it's wonderful, it's nice to hang out wit my sister because I don't usually see her. So I can spend a lot of time with her at Camp Connect," Katherine said.
This year's four-day camp is in less than a month. It runs August 2 through August 5, and the county is in need of adult volunteers who can help at the camp, and also throughout the year.
"We're looking for volunteers who want to be a positive influence in the life of a child. These children have experienced trauma, and then they're not with their siblings, so for me it's compounded and we really need folks that can come to these events and be that positive role model for them," program manager Margo Fudge said.
"The camp last year, was a life changer for me, it was such… I grew as a human being," volunteer Copper Bales said.
Bales and fellow volunteer Stacie Aman say being volunteers at Camp Connect has had a profound impact on their own lives.
"This is an opportunity that you can not pass up. it is such a life-changing, positive event... just being with the kids, your chance to interact with the kids and get in there and be a kid yourself," Bales said.
"And truly that's all you really…you just want to be a good person for that hour or two hours you have with them. You don't know what they've experienced, you don't know what they've been through but that one time they're with you, you just want them just to be safe. You want them to be to be safe and to be happy," Stacie said.
And who knows what kind of impact you could have on a foster youth.
"I love hanging out with the other adults there," one child said.
"There's probably about a half dozen events in the year, and every event is probably about four hours long. So you're looking at 30 hours a year, maybe. It's not very much, and I'll tell you those are really fun-filled, rewarding hours. The camp itself is four days, you can choose if you want to be there for one day, half a day. I'll tell you what, we're going for four days this year, it was such a great experience last year," Bales said.
To volunteer for Camp Connect, you need to be at least 21 years old. The application process includes a comprehensive background check and some training to help you understand the dynamics of children in foster care.
Again, there is an urgent need for volunteers for the upcoming camp, which will be August 2 through August 5. You can do just one day, or up to all four days, but you'll need to be cleared before it starts. So please call (858) 427-1106 this coming week if you'd like to volunteer.
