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Big Changes at Camp Dreamcatcher Camp Dreamcatcher is thrilled to announce that its 15th summer camp session will be held at The Westtown School, August 15th – 21st, 2010. More... Camp Dreamcatcher in the News:
Bow Undergoes Successful Surgery As many of you know, our Thai friend Bow, who so charmed us at Camp Dreamcatcher the last two summers with her exuberance and optimism, was offered a chance to come to the U.S. for reconstructive facial surgery. We are continuing to try to raise $40,000 to cover her medical expenses. Bow has faced her difficulties with courage and grace; please help make a dream come true for this amazing girl.
The film "Tiny Tears" is being shown at numerous venues in the Philadelphia area. It premiered at the United Nations last March and then was screened at The Cannes Film Festival. Robert Corna, the director, spent the summer of 2007 visiting orphanages in Thailand, Uganda and Brazil, before making his way to Camp Dreamcatcher. We are very proud to be part of this important project, which includes a 90-minute film and a four part mini-series, one on each country Robert visited. In early 2008, Robert and Patty invited one child and one caregiver from Thailand, Uganda and Brazil to the camp session. The generosity of the local community enabled the "international campers" to join us for the session. Robert was with us once again this past August, filming the sequel and following the journey of each "international camper." Click Here to view a trailer of Tiny Tears Click Here to Purchase Tiny Tears on DVD
Through the years Camp Dreamcatcher has also developed special programs that have become a vital part of its ongoing support of the children and their families. These programs include:
OUR NEW OFFICE ADDRESS IS: 617 WEST SOUTH ST. KENNETT SQUARE, PA 19348 We welcomed 141 campers, ages 5-17, to an action packed week of camp, which was held on the grounds of Camp Saginaw in southern Chester County. The campers enjoyed swimming, basketball, boating, miniature golfing, concerts (thank you John Flynn), an adventure challenge course, go-cart racing, arts/crafts, a hip-hop dance show, Native American storytelling, horseback riding (Thank you Dansko Shoes and volunteers), a camp wide carnival (Thank you Moon Bounce Adventures), cooking classes, visits from "therapeutic dogs" (Thank you Canine Partners for Life) and our annual talent show and dance. In addition, the kids and counselors participated in therapeutic groups including music therapy, movement therapy, guided imagery, yoga and massage. The teen program included educational groups on addiction, HIV/AIDS, relationships,depression, HIV medication adherence, body image, abuse and family violence. The 11-13 year-old campers attended a puberty education program which, include discussions on relationships, body changes, body image and peer pressure. Sixteen year-old campers participated as either Counselors in Training or Leaders in Training and graduates of our Counselor in Training program joined us as Junior Counselors for the camp session. It has been a pleasure for us to watch the children grow up in the "Camp Dreamatcher" family and now move into leadership roles at camp and within their own communities.
Over 300 counselors, medical personnel, professionals and community members volunteered over 13,500 hours of service to make the week an unforgettable one for everyone involved. My deepest appreciation goes out to all of these wonderful folks!! If you would like to be part of this life changing experience, our 2010 applications are now available by clicking on the Forms section of this website. BIG CHANGES FOR CAMP DREAMCATCHER! Camp Dreamcatcher Executive Director, Patty Hillkirk, is thrilled to announce that Camp Dreamcatcher’s 15th summer camp session will be held at The Westtown School, August 15th – 21st, 2010. "The transition from camp to campus will take some getting used to, but I know that the campers will feel so special in the campus like setting that rivals many Ivy League colleges. The campers will love having air conditioned dorm rooms and will enjoy the 25 meter indoor heated swimming pool, the high ropes course with a zip line and the beautiful field house complex with tennis courts, basketball courts and track." states Patty Hillkirk. Amenities at the Westtown School also include three art studios, a ceramics room, a woodshop, a dark room, a recording/sound studio and a 564-seat theatre with computerized lighting system and professional sound system. Camp Dreamcatcher has also found a new home for its weekend teen retreats and will be holding their spring Teen Life Skills Retreat at the NorthBay Camp on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. In other news, Dreamcatcher partnered once again with the Social Entrepreneurship and Community Leadership students at Penn State Great Valley. The Camp Dreamcatcher team conducted a feasibility study to explore the need for building a "community camp", which will be winterized and handicapped accessible. The site will be used by Camp Dreamcatcher and will also be offered to non-profit organizations serving children with special needs. In 2008, the PSU Great Valley students developed a business plan for us and the feasibility study will identify the community need for this project. Thank you Dr. Barrie Litzky, Cyndy Walton and the PSU Great Valley students for giving us this wonderful opportunity. For upcoming events and other ways you can support Camp Dreamcatcher, please check out the latest in our News section. Click Here to download the Camp Dreamcatcher brochure (.pdf format)
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Over fourteen years ago, a committee of concerned men and women came together to develop what is now known as Camp Dreamcatcher. The mission of Camp Dreamcatcher is:
Camp Dreamcatcher offers the children a safe, supportive and nurturing place to express their feelings of fear, sadness and anger, with adults who understand, and with children who may share their burdens. The largest program offered by Camp Dreamcatcher is a one-week therapeutic and educational camp held on the grounds of a camp in southern Chester County.
We also welcomed international campers from Thailand, Uganda and Brazil to camp. The children are featured, along with Camp Dreamcatcher, in the documentary film, "Tiny Tears". 
