General Information for Donors & Friends

Based in our mission, the philosophy of Camp Starfish
is to create a therapeutic environment for children
who have behavioral and emotional needs beyond
what a traditional camp would be able to provide. By
therapeutic environment we mean a supportive, nurturing
place that meets each child’s individual needs in the way
that best helps them learn and grow. We do not provide
traditional "therapy" for campers who come to camp,
however, by providing a safe, therapeutic environment we
hope to create a place where our campers can feel nurtured
and safe to express their needs and feelings. In addition to
traditional camp programs, we offer a one-to-one staff to
camper ratio that allows us to help our campers create
relationships, try new things, realize that negative choices
have consequences, and learn to make positive choices as
well as express themselves peacefully. Additionally, campers
at Starfish always have support available when needed, at an
individualized level so that every child can feel safe and
experience growth.

Who are our campers?
Camp Starfish serves children between the ages of 7 and 15
with emotional, behavioral and learning challenges. Some of
our campers attend because they need special assistance
with their social skills, help making friends, and coping skills
to create positive relationships. Some campers have been
diagnosed with ADHD, depression, anxiety, bipolar, or other
clinical diagnoses. Some campers have not been successful
at other camp programs or have challenges learning the
same way as other children. Regardless of their individual

need, Camp Starfish works to help every child become set up for
success. Our campers thrive under our individualized programs
and attention and are able to find growth and success at Camp
Starfish that they have not found in other programs or in school.
Though we do not provide therapeutic services at camps, many of
our campers are involved in counseling services at home or attend
therapeutic day school programs. Our campers learn best and
experience the most success when there are support, safe
boundaries, and a well-known routine, so they excel in the
structured environment that we create at camp as well as
with the individualized attention they receive from our staff. We
believe in helping facilitate positive life changes for our
campers using the Starfish Tools and Strategies as a guide to help
create and enforce positive coping skills and constructive behaviors.