Camp Spirit Song Winter Weekend 2023

January 13, 2023 - January 16, 2023

Camp Spirit Song is offered in partnership with the SpiritWorks Foundation to give the gift of a camp experience to children in Province III (Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, Washington, DC and West Virginia) affected by the opioid substance use disorder of a parent or other close loved one. This is the second year of Camp Spirit Song, and the first camp program of its kind on the east coast.

This winter retreat is sponsored in part by Maryland Coalition of Families. Visit mdcoalition.org for information on their families services!

Whether you're a returning camper or curious to learn more about camp, the Winter Retreat offers an opportunity to connect and take part in many favorite parts of the summer program: small-group sessions to learn about addiction and recovery, outdoor fun, and tons of silly camp games and crafts!

This year, caregivers are invited to stay at Claggett during the retreat! We'll have activities for the whole family to participate in together, as well as sessions especially for adults from the SpiritWorks Foundation and Maryland Coalition for Families. Connect with other family members and caregivers of young people affected by addiction, and enjoy some time to relax and care for yourself!

Children grades 4-8 will stay in camp dorms supervised by counselors and participate in the camp program for the weekend--a caregiver is not required to attend with them. All ages will share meals and some activities. Younger children may attend under the supervision as a parent or guardian, who is responsible for them at all times.

Each day, campers gather for Small Group sessions led by experienced counselors from Spiritworks Foundation for the Soul, an organization that specializes in addiction services and recovery for families affected by addiction.

Campers learn the “Seven C’s” of a family member’s addiction: “I didn’t cause it, I can’t cure it, I can’t control it, but I can take care of myself by communicating my feelings, making good choices, and celebrating myself.” Sessions give campers a safe place to talk openly about their experiences with addiction and support each other as they process the ways in which opioid addiction has affected them.

Like all Claggett camps, Camp Spirit Song is a ministry of the Diocese of Maryland, and campers are invited to worship and wonder through the Christian story in daily, age-appropriate chapel sessions. Group counseling sessions do not contain any religious content, and campers of all backgrounds are welcome--campers are not required to have any religious background, nor will they be asked to adopt any specific belief system through their participation in Camp Spirit Song.

Camp provides children grades 4-8 with an opportunity to meet God through:

the support of a Christian community
fellowship with peers who share a common experience
time to rest and play away from the distractions of everyday life

Click here to register.

To learn more about Camp Spirit Song and volunteer opportunities, contact Rita Yoe, Program Coordinator at the Claggett Center: (301) 874-5147; ryoe@claggettcenter.org.

It is our mission to offer Camp Spirit Song at no cost to campers’ families. You can help make camp a reality for 40 campers this year by sponsoring a camper. $1,000 covers the cost of one camper, including room and board, program materials, and staff fees. Individuals, parishes, and dioceses may donate directly toward camper sponsorship. To make or pledge a contribution toward Camp Spirit Song, click here or contact Lisa Marie Ryder, Co-Executive Director of the Claggett Center, lmryder@claggettcenter.org.