Camp Mariposa
A Place Where Kids Transform
Camp Mariposa is a year-round addiction prevention and mentoring program for youth affected by the substance use of a family member.
Children and teens attend transformational weekend camps every other month for a year or more. Youth ages 9-17 participate in fun, traditional camp activities combined with education and support sessions led by mental health professionals. Teens are given an opportunity to continue their involvement and build leadership skills as Junior Counselors. Camp Mariposa builds knowledge, life skills, confidence and provides an opportunity for youth to connect with peers and caring adult mentors. Additional social and educational activities are offered for youth, alumni and their families throughout the year. All Camp Mariposa activities are provided free of charge.
Camp Mariposa allows youth to:
Youth who attend Camp Mariposa learn coping skills that build resiliency and ultimately break the cycle of addiction.
- Connect with friends in similar situations
- Reduce feelings of guilt and isolation
- Learn that addiction is a disease and not their fault
- Develop trusting relationships with adult mentors
- Build confidence and learn critical life skills
- Have fun!
Social Support
Camp Mariposa
Coping Skills
Positive Outlook
Camp Mariposa strives to intervene early and break the cycle of addiction.
Camp Mariposa helps Youth:
- Feel less isolated
- Understand addiction
- Stop blaming themselves
- Connect to others
- Avoid repeating generational patterns of substance use disorder
- Recognize attributes of a healthy relationship
- Find available resources and support
- Program is held at an overnight camping facility in Manatee County
- Camp consists of traditional fun activities, educational and support exercises
- Counselors and camp staff are employees of JFCS, an accredited and licensed substance use disorder and counseling agency serving residents of Sarasota and Manatee county
- Transportation is provided to and from JFCS to camp location
- All meals are included from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch
- Youth camp weekend program begins Friday at 5:30 p.m. and ends on Sunday afternoon. The Teen camp program ends on Saturday after dinner.
- Additional activities are offered to families on selected weekends
*CAMP MARIPOSA is FREE to all youth approved through the Intake process.
Youth must be 9 – 17 years old by the weekends of attendance
In the event that Covid-19 prohibits in-person camps Virtual Programming will occur 9:00 am – 12:30 pm on the Saturday of following weekends, both youth and teens welcomed.
Youth Camp Dates – Ages 9 – 12
- January 22-24, 2021
- March 12-14, 2021
- May 21-23, 2021
- July 23-25, 2021
- September 17-19, 2021
- November 19-21, 2021
Teen Camp Dates – Ages 13 – 17
- February 19-20, 2021
- April 9-10, 2021
- June 25-26, 2021
- August 20-21, 2021
- October 15-16, 2021
- December 3-4, 2021
Jeanette Altman, Program Coordinator at (941) 780 – 5929 or jaltman@jfcs-cares.org
