Letters from Camp Mariposa – New Orleans and Nashua

“Getting to see and be in person with our Mariposa campers creates a sense of joyfulness, connection, and hope for the year ahead. We’re looking forward to many more day trips and can’t wait to get back to overnights once it’s safe to do so.” – Shana Bellone, Camp Mariposa New Orleans Director

Camp Mariposa Nashua and New Orleans both kicked-off 2021 with in-person day camps. Last year, both locations carried out careful plans to return to camp. After the coronavirus escalated to a pandemic, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua, Eluna’s partner organization in New Hampshire, quickly pivoted to a virtual format, focusing on small group connections. In July, after developing safety policies and procedures, Camp Mariposa teens and youth were able to return to -in-person ay camps the following month.

Camp Mariposa New Orleans, which is offered in partnership with Youth Empowerment Project, had a slow return to in-person programming. In the fall, there were a few socially distanced in-person activities, including small group mentoring and a trip to an organic farm, but camp remained virtual through the end of the year.

At both locations, campers were ecstatic to be around one another. In New Orleans, when Camp Director Shana Bellone reached out to a camper about the upcoming camp session, she received the reply, “Ok, but are we going in real life?” Once at camp, the youth and teens reintroduced themselves through ice breakers and participated in a scavenger hunt. The items they found directly led into the next activity – creating coping boxes. Campers then relaxed during a spa activity with face masks, manicures, and an important lesson on self-care. The day camp ended with gooey smores over a grill.

In Nashua, the campers had a similar balance of fun games and mindfulness activities. They made hydro dip night lights using old mason jars and LED tea lights, played Gaga ball, and competed in a “Mariposa Gladiator” obstacle course. Staff also organized lessons such as “Positive Actions, Smart Moves,” on the importance of the 7 C’s, which helped campers to gain a more robust understanding of substance use disorder and how to differentiate between medicine and addictive substances.

After dinner, campers wrote their letters to addiction, which were then shared aloud in the circle of feelings and burned in a fire pit. The evening concluded with a graduation ceremony for three children who will be moving from the youth camp to the teen camp. Like their counterparts in New Orleans, the campers enjoyed a traditional camp dessert of roasted marshmallows. In reflection of this final chapter of the first camp weekend of the year, Camp Director Eric McCambly shared:

“I am always in awe about how brave and courageous these kids are when they read their letters. I was simply amazed with many of older campers who have been with us for four years and how many of them spoke to our younger campers about going to them for help or to talk about anything. It was great to see kids who have been a part of Camp Mariposa now giving back to the program.”

Learn more about Camp Mariposa and find a location near you.