Media who would like to visit the camp and interview camp counselors, DSHS staff, and some of the youth attending the camp are asked to contact Deborah Schow, 360-902-7891 Camp to Belong runs through Saturday, Aug. 29.

Visitors will not be allowed on camp grounds without previous authorization

OLYMPIA -- This week, children and teenagers who live apart from their brothers and sisters will be reunited with their siblings at the first Camp to Belong in Washington. The camp is located near Horseshoe Lake in Port Orchard, Washington.

Most of the 48 young campers taking part have been in or are currently in foster care and live in Washington or Oregon; all live apart from brothers and sisters. The Department of Social and Health Services Children's Administration works closely with the international non-profit's local chapter, Camp to Belong Northwest, to provide scholarships for youth who are in foster care or in other DSHS programs.

The Department of Social and Health Services also assists with support and logistical services needed to gather siblings who may be under guardianship in separate states, tribal or other authorities, or have special needs. Some DSHS employees give up a week's vacation to volunteer as camp counselors, or lend their hand as drivers, sandwich makers and camp helpers.

"It is so inspiring to see these kids at camp where they have the chance to just be kids, playing and sharing time with their brothers and sisters," said Bob Partlow, Foster and Kinship Care Program Manager who helps coordinate the camp for the DSHS Children's Administration. "It's hard to put into words the effect is has on them to re-connect and build relationships that we hope will last a lifetime."

The agency also works with Foster Family Connections in Port Orchard, Free Cakes for Kids and other community, service and non-profit organizations to raise funds throughout the year and coordinate activities for youth attending the Port Orchard camp.

"Foster Family Connections wanted to be involved in the camp because it is such an incredible opportunity to make a difference in the lives of kids who are separated from their brothers and sisters," said April VanGesen, co-director of both Foster Family Connections and Camp To Belong Washington. "To be able to do this for these kids is such a great mission."

It's a week some youth say they look forward to more than Christmas; the one full week a year they can be with their brothers and sisters and make up for the lost pillow fights and birthdays celebrated apart and get together to enjoy the kind of summer activities that make life-long childhood memories.

There are more children who want to attend the camp than there are places for them. To help meet demand, the Camp to Belong organization vowed to open a camp in Washington and attained that goal this year. Besides allowing more youth to be reunited with their siblings the new camp eliminates the day-long bus trip for youth who are based in the western half of the state.

Since 2006 all youth from Eastern and Western Washington had joined their peers from Idaho and Oregon in Camp to Belong Northwest in Idaho. This year 27 youth, mostly from the Eastern side of our state, joined their siblings and foster, adopted and other youth at the Lake Coeur' d'Alene camp during their July session.

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DSHS does not discriminate, and provides equal access to its programs and services for all persons without regard to race, color, gender, religion, creed, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, age, veteran's status or the presence of any physical, sensory or mental disability.