WICHITA, Kan. – For many foster care youth, frequent moves between homes and schools make forming meaningful relationships difficult.

That challenge inspired Children 1st, a Wichita-based social service nonprofit, to pilot a one-week summer camp for foster children in fifth through eighth grades, said Heather Snapp, Children 1st regional mental health intervention team supervisor.

In June 2025, 13 foster youth attended the organization’s first weeklong camp, where they learned social and emotional skills to strengthen mental health, build healthy relationships, and develop coping strategies. Guided by eight mental health professionals, campers participated in team building, conflict resolution, confidence-boosting activities, non-denominational spiritual development, and a service-learning project at a neighboring nursing home.

Thanks to a partnership with St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and School, campers also prepared meals together, practiced life skills, and spent time in the Children 1st Garden.

“Originally we wanted a place for foster care kids to come and help them build their skills – social skills and conflict resolution skills – but to also create a space where they feel safe and able to feel that community with other foster care kids,” Snapp said.

That sense of belonging appeared quickly.

After the first day, a foster mother shared with Snapp that her daughter – often bullied and struggling to fit in at school – was thrilled to have made new friends.

“At camp, she made friends and experienced inclusivity,” Snapp said. “The look on [that] mom’s face made it all worth it.”

The pilot was funded in part by the Kansas Health Foundation, with additional support from the Kansas Department for Children and Families, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and School, the Catholic Diocese of Wichita, and the Kansas State Department of Education.

REAL CONNECTIONS AND IMPACT

When designing the camp, Children 1st staff aimed to create a consistent, relationship-rich environment where foster youth could connect with peers and trusted mental-health-educated mentors.

With caseworkers and social workers often changing throughout a child’s foster care journey, she said consistent adult support is especially meaningful.

Each of the camp’s eight counselors worked closely with one to three campers, helping them navigate challenges and guiding them to realize their full potential.

Kathleen Webb, Children 1st executive director, recalled a powerful moment on the final day of camp at the Nowiki Kiwanis Club in Andover, Kan.

All families were invited to come together. As families gathered, she noticed a young boy peacefully fishing with a counselor – a special time with a male presence he rarely has at home.

His mother later shared with Webb that he had lost his father years ago and “craves ‘manly stuff.’” That simple fishing moment meant everything to him.

Snapp said she loved that moment, and she often feels mentorship opportunities like these are extremely important for foster care youth.

“Foster care kids have so many people who come in and out of their lives,” she said. “A mentorship role is overlooked, and I think it’s really important for them to have individual set aside time that’s just for them – not their other siblings, not their court case, not their parents – just time with that kid.”

The summer camp became the ideal place for that much-needed support.

LOOKING AHEAD AND REFLECTING ON LESSONS LEARNED

Recruitment for the first year was challenging because Children 1st had not built relationships, Snapp said, despite outreach to nearly 100 individuals and multiple foster care agencies and churches. One reason, they explained, was that few foster care youths attend the non-public schools where Children 1st primarily provides mental health services in Wichita, Hutchinson, and Southeast Kansas.

This year, Children 1st plans to expand the camp to 15–20 youth, working more closely with foster parents and care providers to reach families who would benefit most. They also plan to welcome returning campers and continue those important bonds.

“We are innovators, and that’s why I love pilots,” Webb said. “We accomplished what we went out there to do last year. Our staff is excited about coming back to do the camp again.”

The organization is also considering expanding the camp to other locations, including somewhere in Southeast Kansas or Hutchinson, where it already provides services.

To learn more about Children 1st and its upcoming summer camp, please visit children1stks.org or email info@children1stks.org.

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Photo at top of page taken by Michele Clark and provided by Children 1st.