Eluna’s Expert Voices – Importance of Celebration

Camp Mariposa Experts are not shy about the 7C of Celebrating – especially when it comes to campers! Having walked difficult roads, campers and mentors alike thrive in environments rich with positive reinforcement and connection. Watch and learn about creative celebrations ranging from ramen noodle prizes to monthly mantras at home, with the goal to remind all campers that you are enough!

Catch Campers in a Positive Role

“When you catch campers in a positive role of whatever their doing and their actions – if you recognize it at that time. Our mentors are super good about that.” – Renee, Director

Recognize Uniqueness

“We, mentors as a whole, sit down and write certificates. We label every certificate for every individual, uniquely. We think about what did they do that weekend that made it special for them.” – Yasin, Mentor

Ramen Noodle Raffle Prizes

“For behavior or participation, we give them raffle tickets throughout the camp weekend. At the end of camp we draw raffles for fun prizes or silly prizes that they like – they really like ramen noodles.” – Kaitlyn, Mentor

Praising through Play

“With the campers I will play games with them and praise them a lot if they beat me or if I let them beat me. Because at the end of the day not everybody is going to be proud of you or excited for your accomplishments. So it’s a good thing to know how to celebrate for yourself.” – Ivy, Camper, Junior Counselor, Mentor

Celebrate the Everyday Success

“You don’t always need to celebrate only the big milestones, the ones that are few and far between. If you are battling a mental health illness and it’s hard for you to get out of bed and you got out of bed and you went to school or you came to camp. That’s a success that you should celebrate too.” – Emily, Mentor

Opportunities to Overcome

“One of my favorite camp stories is about a little girl. It was our first camp at a new facility that had a build-in rock wall in the gym. She said, nope, nope, nope, nope. We said, we want everyone to try. If you can’t that’s okay. She sat there and finally said, okay I’m going to try it….She got up there and rang that bell! I got teary – it was amazing. She still comes to our teen camp and shared – I really learned that I can do hard things.” – Stacey, Mentor & Therapist

Celebrate Wins in a Shorter Period of Time

“Parents of kids who have had an adult in their life with addiction, can tell you that it’s hard. Focusing on long-term goals can be discouraging. Shortening up and going a little bit easier on yourself and with your family and celebrating wins in a shorter period of time.” – Kelly, Mom

Praise Conscious Choices

“I’m really conscious of trying not to praise things that they don’t have control over…I’m trying to praise things where they have made a conscious choice to do something or to work hard on things. Because if I say, I’m so proud that you made it to 5 ft, well what choice did they have. But, if they chose to be kind to a kid that was sitting by themselves, then that’s something that I’m really proud of.” – Rebekah, Mother

Monthly Mantras

“I have an 8′ x 10′ picture frame and every month I put a new picture in it. It will be something like – I am enough – is what we had last month. We celebrate how are you feeling – you are enough. What are things changing in your life that make you know that – you are enough. When they come up with something, we celebrate it.” – Tiffany, Foster Mom

Create a Community of Celebration

“It’s really evolved into a community where everybody celebrates one another. One persons victory is everybody’s victory.” – Matt, Mentor

Click here to see a full list of Expert Voices videos!