The Campers Are Here!!!

After two exciting days of training, our counselors were ready with smiles and signs welcoming 100 campers to camp!

Counselors waiting for campers!

Part of the first day at Camp To Belong MA included a very full and bustling birthday store. Our shelves and tables were lined with ninja turtles, lego kits, stuffed animals, jewelry, hello kitty pillows, and much more. It was exciting to see a younger sister attempt to peek into the camp store to see what her older sister was picking out for her. It has been at least two years since these two sisters had spent a week together. Another brother shared that he had never made a card before and didn't like to make them for people. Our staff encouraged him to try new things this week at camp and that maybe a card from him to his sister would be something she'd treasure. A few minutes later he walked by and showed staff an envelope addressed to his sister, and inside there was a card that said "happy birthday from your brother". He took a risk and tried something new and we couldn't have been more proud at his willingness to be creative and write a card for his sister. Making connections and encouraging and supporting kids...that's what we do here at Sibling Connections.

During campers first dinner together, returning sibling groups were leading some favorite camp songs such as "we got spirit, yes we do, we got spirit how about you?" and "did some body say banana?" The dinner was full of excitement as returning campers turned up the energy in the dining hall, though it didn't take long for new campers to join in the fun! We love seeing our traditions being passed between returning and new campers, and it's the simple things, such as eating meals together, that became the most treasured memories for our campers.

A tradition at Camp To Belong MA includes beginning and ending the week with a campfire. First day campfires can be very emotional or sometimes they can be short and sweet. Last night it was obvious campers were tired from all the day's activities, however, many siblings had the courage to stand up and share their hopes and dreams for the week. Below are some highlights:

• A young sister, age 8, shared that she had been waiting months to see her older brother, and couldn't believe she could spend an entire week with him.
• A set of older teen sisters, embraced, and openly shared how much loved they shared for one another.
• A younger sister stood and shared that she hoped her brother would have a "good week at camp."

Counselor fairies preparing to deliver cookies & milk!

And what's better than cookies and milk before bed? Last night campers got to indulge in a new Camp To Belong tradition: warm cookies and milk before bed delivered by counselors. We tell our campers that the fairy only comes and delivers bedtime treats when they are all ready for bed. Last night was a success and a new tradition that we hope will carry on.