Camp Cardinal, the free one-day camp program for Burlington County children impacted by substance use disorder, is expanding to a second session that will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24.
The Burlington County Commissioners announced the program expansion this week, saying the additional day of camp will give participating children a second opportunity to interact and develop friendships and coping skills. It will also allow children who were unable to attend the first session of June 15 to benefit from the program.
The camp is open exclusively for children ages 7 to 14 who have suffered a loss due to substance use disorder or who have been impacted by substance use disorder within their immediate family. It is funded with money from Burlington County’s share of the opioid settlement.
The second session of Camp Cardinal will be held at the YMCA of the Pines in Medford from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The camp provides a safe space for children to interact and participate in activities such as shelter building, archery, arts and crafts, rope course and climbing wall. There will also be special group sessions devoted to teaching children coping skills and how to build resiliency to stress, anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses.
Transportation to and from the camp is provided and participating children will receive meals, a bookbag, t-shirt, journal and water bottle.
A dozen children attended the first Camp Cardinal session in June. Those children are eligible to return for the second session, and newcomers are also welcome.
Families interested in the program can register online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BCCampCardinalAug2024. For questions about the program, call (609) 265-5794 or email klogue@co.burlington.nj.us.
