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WHAT CAMP DAYBREAK
OFFERS
At first glance, the CAMP DAYBREAK program seems to simply offer
a wonderful, but short, summer camp experience for approximately
thirty young children, all of whom are referred by elementary
schools, counselors, private and state agencies. DAYBREAK provides
its campers a full range of activities such as swimming, fishing,
new games, hiking, arts and crafts, as well as a host of special
events.
But, DAYBREAK offers much more. Each child lives in one of
three "families", which includes a "big brother
or big sister," five counselors and one mental health
consultant.
Therefore, campers not only relate to and participate in their
family
units, but
receive
an
extraordinary amount of individualized attention and care.
TEEN VOLUNTEERS
DAYBREAK is a project with many components. The success of
the program greatly relies on the incredible talent, energy and
compassion of more than thirty teenage volunteers who serve
as big brothers and big sisters to the individual campers, all
of whom have special needs.
The program is also about challenging high school students with
real responsibilities, real issues and real problems. For
many of these volunteers, most of whom come from Vermont high
schools, DAYBREAK is a major life experience; a wonderful and
at times exhilarating challenge, but it can also be exhausting,
frustrating and even overwhelming. Not every volunteer is able
to meet all of the demands placed on them but for most, the struggle
is more than worth it.
DIRECTOR
Carolyn Ricker continues to serve as director of DAYBREAK
2006.
Carolyn, who previously resided in Montpelier now lives in Kent,
New York with her family, is an educator. She began her career
as a big sister at the camp and later returned to help as waterfront
director. It should be noted that she first met her husband,
Jason,
at DAYBREAK when they were both high school students, so this
is indeed a true DAYBREAK couple! Carolyn can be reached via
e-mail
at cjricker_2000@yahoo.com.
SPONSORSHIP
Although operating a camp program is a major financial commitment,
VAMH proudly boasts that no youngster has ever been turned away
because of a family's limited finances.
One very important base of support for the program is a grant
from the Turrell Fund, a private foundation which has
been involved with DAYBREAK for many years. Hundreds of Vermont
citizens,
civic clubs and social organizations also contribute to CAMP
DAYBREAK. In recent years, the Department of Health (Division
of Mental Health and the Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs),
the Department of Education and the Department of Children and
Family Services, have also provided grants.
Each camper's family or sponsoring
agency is asked to make a "tuition payment" of $180.00
which is a small portion of the actual cost.
Many businesses,
large and small, make contributions to the program. Strong partners
include General Dynamics, IBM, National Life of Vermont and
the
IDX Corporation . Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream faithfully supplies
a major "in-kind" supply of ice cream, which makes
our dessert menu a camper favorite. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
is another loyal participant, while other contributors include
Costco's, Shaw's, Walmart and the ReStore. We are always
in the market for a donation of worms since fishing is a DAYBREAK
favorite.
A RESPITE FOR PARENTS
The Association believes
that besides being a program for campers and volunteer teen counselors,
DAYBREAK also offers parents and family members of the campers
a break, a short but important time of respite from the often
demanding needs of these children. This respite care opportunity
is viewed as a critically important dynamic in enhancing the entire
family unit.
WANT TO KNOW
MORE?
Given that CAMP DAYBREAK depends so heavily on volunteers, planning
for the program is a year-round responsibility. It is not too
early to contact the VAMH about CAMP DAYBREAK 2006. As of 2001,
the CAMP DAYBREAK program has moved its "home" to
the facilities of Camp Thorpe in Goshen, deep in the Vermont
mountains.
NEED AN
APPLICATION?
Click on the name of the application below to download forms in
PDF format. You will need to have Adobe
Acrobat Reader installed on your system, in order to view
these files.
CAMPER APPLICATION
STAFF APPLICATION
To inquire further about
CAMP DAYBREAK 2006, simply fill out and submit the form
below
or call us at (802) 223-6263. E-mail messages can be received
at vamh1@aol.com (VAMH)
or cjricker_2000@yahoo.com (Carolyn Ricker).
