Evidence-Based Mentoring: Key insights from Camp Mariposa & LSU Study
A recently published article in the Evaluation and Program Planning Journal highlights Eluna’s Camp Mariposa program and its innovative hybrid group mentorship model for youth ages 9–12 impacted by a family member’s substance use disorder.
Developed in partnership with Camp Mariposa’s Director of Addiction Prevention & Mentoring Programs, Brian Maus, and the research and evaluation team at Louisiana State University, the study completed in 2021 adds to a growing body of evidence that early-intervention mentoring programs can have a powerful, positive impact on younger youth, similar to outcomes previously observed in programs serving older adolescents.
Key Insights:
1. Foster a Positive Mentor Experience
- Create opportunities for mentors to build meaningful relationships with youth.
- Encourage reflection and celebration of the impact mentors have
100% of Camp Mariposa mentors described their experience using positive terms like “rewarding,” “life-changing,” and “impactful.”
2. Strengthen Leadership and Program Structure
- Ensure camp/program leadership is inclusive, communicative, and supportive.
- Share management responsibilities to allow mentors time for rest and reflection.
- Promote cross-site learning to adopt successful leadership practices.
54.2% of Camp Mariposa mentors identified strong camp leadership as essential to creating an inclusive and supportive environment.
3. Prioritize Mentor Self-Care
- Build in time for mentors to recharge during programming (e.g., early quiet time, breaks, enjoyable activities).
- Provide backup staff to support mentor wellness.
- Encourage peer support and informal downtime to maintain energy and presence.
66.7% of Camp Mariposa mentors practiced self-care by waking early for quiet time and 58.3% stepped away during programming to recharge.
4. Provide Ongoing, Trauma-Informed Training
- Offer refresher trainings throughout the year to reinforce skills and build confidence.
- Include education on trauma, emotional regulation, and behavioral management.
- Emphasize the 7Cs framework to guide mentor-youth interactions.
70.8% of Camp Mariposa mentors emphasized the importance of the 7Cs framework in guiding youth development and mentor confidence.
5. Implement Briefing and Debriefing Protocols
- Provide mentors with background on mentees before programming begins (within confidentiality limits).
- Facilitate post-event debriefs to support emotional processing and improve preparedness.
- Use these sessions to reinforce learning and build mentor confidence.
45.8% Camp Mariposa mentors believed debriefing would improve preparedness for future weekends.
6. Cultivate Mentor Confidence and Empathy
- Recruit mentors with lived experience or personal connection to SUD when possible.
- Encourage adaptability, structure, and rapport-building.
- Train mentors to listen actively and validate youth experiences with empathy.
91.7% Camp Mariposa mentors described confidence as essential and 70.8% identified empathy as a core mentoring skill.
This research builds on evaluation efforts by the Camp Mariposa team since 2017 and offers new insights into how mentoring programs can support both youth and mentors. Data for this specific LSU study was gathered between 2020 and 2021. Of 280 eligible mentors, 116 (41 %) completed the survey, with 24 (21 %) participating in follow-up focus groups.
By introducing tools to assess mentor experience and highlighting the importance of confidence and empathy in mentor-mentee relationships, the study advances what was previously known about effective mentoring practices (Weiler et al., 2014; Phillippi et al., 2023). In addition to reinforcing the value of trauma-informed, structured mentorship, the study introduces new survey tools and strategies that programs can use to better understand and support their mentors. These findings underscore the importance of thoughtful, evidence-based approaches to mentoring youth at high risk of substance use due to family environments.
