Taking a deep breath, you release your grip and surrender to the exhilaration. As you lean back, a feeling of weightlessness consumes you, allowing you to glide effortlessly through the clear blue sky. In this fleeting moment, all worries and responsibilities fade away, leaving you with an indescribable sense of freedom. And as you reach the end of the zipline, the cheers of your beloved friends and siblings fill the air, a chorus of pride and admiration. This is summer camp at its best, a time of adventure, growth, and unforgettable memories.
Designed to bring siblings separated through foster care placements back together, Camp Catch-Up offers an opportunity to reunite with these siblings. For some, it has been quite a long time since they have seen their siblings. Often years.
Each summer, a close-knit community of camp counselors and support staff eagerly wait for the campers to arrive. Alongside them is Camp Catch-Up Director, Mona Tarin. Mona has been camp director for three years and her heart and soul are present throughout the camp. Much of the reason so many campers want to come back year over year.
Throughout most children’s lives, siblings are a constant, stable source of love, support, and understanding. Kids in the foster care system need this bond more than anyone. But they’re more likely to be separated from the brothers and sisters who understand them so well.
Camp Catch-Up has offered these kids an opportunity to catch-up.
We caught up with some of the campers and staff who participated in Camp Catch-Up this summer to learn what camp has meant to them over the years.
A Sense of Belonging
At Camp Catch-Up, colorful t-shirts play an important role in identifying and uniting families. Each family is provided with t-shirts of the same vibrant color, allowing them to be easily recognized as a family unit right from the beginning. This simple concept helps to foster a sense of belonging and togetherness among the campers, creating a visual representation of the bonds they share with their siblings. From the moment they put on their matching t-shirts, the campers are reminded that they are part of a special family and that they are not alone in their experiences. The colorful t-shirts become a symbol of unity and a source of pride for the campers throughout their time at Camp Catch-Up.
Heather started attending camp in 2017 and now participates as a staff member. As a first-time camper, she remembers feelings of uneasiness and apprehension as her three siblings had been separated in their foster care placements. As the middle child, the peacekeeper, Heather said that the feelings of uneasiness and apprehension came from the disconnection her siblings experienced when they were split up. Camp Catch-Up counselors and staff were there to support the reconnection and the family was able to build memories together. Camp meant so much to her that she has now become staff.
The Ability to Reconnect
We sat down with Trevor who travels from Arizona each year. It is one of the few times that he is able to reconnect with his siblings who live in foster care placements in Nebraska. When asked what his favorite thing to do at camp was, he mentioned how he likes to go tubing, playing Gaga Ball, ziplining, and working the high ropes at Halsey. All those things are great, but his absolute favorite is spending time with his siblings. Trevor plans to come back as a camp counselor in a few years, to ensure other kids are given this opportunity.
An Opportunity to Pay it Forward
We had the opportunity to meet Jackie and Jordan. Jackie was reconnecting with Camp Catch-Up as the camp nurse after being a camper for many years. As we sat down to visit, Jackie’s original camp counselor Jordan joined us. Jordan traveled from Arizona for his 7th year of being camp counselor. His reason, the warmth that it brought his heart to see the kids grow year over year. The kids mean a lot to him as he becomes an ongoing support to them beyond camp. His presence each year provides stability to campers as they grow to expect him to be there.
Jackie’s experience with Camp Catch-Up extends beyond reconnecting with her siblings. She utilized the examples that the counselors set to help her learn how to parent differently—examples and lessons in how to navigate feelings and tough situations. She also plans to take the lessons that she has learned along her career in the medical profession to the reservation where she grew up and focus on early childhood development.
Establishing Family Values
At Camp Catch-Up, the creation of family flags is a meaningful activity that allows each family to showcase their values and create a visual representation of their identity. Despite being physically separated, campers come together to discuss and express what is important to them as a family. This activity serves as a reminder of their shared values and helps to strengthen the connection even after they return home. The family flags become cherished symbols of unity and a constant reminder of the bond they share with their siblings, no matter the distance between them. It is a beautiful way for these campers to keep their family ties alive and thriving.
A Place to Shine
Campers, like ten-year-old Arya, find the talent show one of the highlights of the week. “The talent show gives us the opportunity to show how we are unique in different ways,” Arya explains.
Wise beyond her years, Arya celebrates the differences among campers, but also appreciates the similarities. When asked what she liked most about Camp Catch-Up, she mentioned how camp gives her the opportunity to reconnect with her siblings AND hang out with other kids “like her.” Kids who can identify with the life situations that she has faced.
We also met an entertainer in Jade, who was on his second year of Camp Catch-Up. His favorite camp activity is the talent show where he performed as a standup comic. He also plans to come back as staff in coming years.
Camp Counselors Become Part of Support Systems
This can be an emotional time for campers, many of whom have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Camp offers a safe place for these children to reconnect.
“The first camp was kind of rough,” explains Jackie. “We didn’t know what to expect and were really closed off, we weren’t open to trying new experiences. But Jordan, our counselor, was patient with us and got us to open up to the opportunity. We ended up enjoying the camp so much that we came back six years after that.”
Jackie goes on to explain that her and her siblings were split up in their foster care placements and Camp Catch-Up often was the only time she would see her brothers for years at a time. As she explains, Jordan sits next to her with pride as he has seen how far the family has come from their initial camp experience.
Campers find a safe place in Dakota’s warm and inviting smile. Dakota has been coming to Camp Catch-Up for almost ten years. After many years as a camper, she now comes back as a staff member because she wants to be that warm place for campers to land. With an observant heart, Dakota enjoys helping campers feel at ease when they first arrive, describing the pace of camp as whatever the campers need. For some, that is a slow pace, filled with indoor activities, crafts, or games and for others it’s high energy outdoor activities. Whichever is needed for the camper, Dakota is there to help support their experience to ensure it’s a memory filled weekend.
Camp Catch-Up doesn’t happen without the dedication and compassion of the staff members who work alongside campers. Helping them navigate the high ropes and the emotions that they are feeling as they reconnect with those who are most important to them. They are there to supervisor, support, and guide campers as they set out on this adventure.
The guidance that camp counselors offer their campers leaves a lasting impression with the campers. Many who have a goal of coming back as camp counselors.
Departing Camp
While we can’t put these sibling groups back together in the same house, we can give them a safe, exciting weekend together to share memories, laugh, and rekindle their connection with new traditions.
Our goal is that they leave with a full heart, and a backpack full of memories.
20 Years of Camp Catch-Up
This year is the 20th year of Camp Catch-Up. Having been there for many of those years, first as a counselor, then co-camp director and now Camp Director, Mona has made sure the legacy has been passed on to future generations of campers.
“The 20th Anniversary year of camp was such a magical time. We took a minute of silence to commemorate all the siblings who were reunited in the last 20 years. We celebrated with laughter, cake, food, dancing, and sibling love. Camp will always be a time of fun, adventure, and connection. Join me today to celebrate siblings.”
– Mona Tarin, Director of Camp Catch-Up
We Rely on Partners Like You to Make Camp a Reality
For many campers, Camp Catch-Up is the only opportunity to see their brothers and sisters. Campers look forward to this special weekend all year. It’s a chance to reconnect, leave worries behind, and just be a kid. In order to make this happen, we need the generous support of people like you.
Your gift to Camp Catch-Up helps defray the costs of:
- Camp facilities
- Trained staff/nurses
- Transportation for campers who need it
- Personal camping gear such as sleeping bags, pillows/pillow cases, backpacks, etc
- Healthy meals and snacks
- Art supplies
With this being the 20th anniversary of Camp Catch-Up, special 20th anniversary sponsorship options are available.
All About Camp Catch-Up
Camp Catch-Up was started by Nebraska Children and Families Foundation in 2003 to offer youth in foster care, guardianship, or adoptive placements a no-cost opportunity to spend quality time with their brothers and sisters. These kids, ages 8-19, meet up with their siblings in a relaxed and fun summer camp environment where they can take a break from the stresses of everyday life in the foster care system.
Nebraska Children’s mission is to create positive change for Nebraska’s children through community engagement.
Growing the Good Life 
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