Challenge by CHOICE

We are proud of Harbor House of Central Florida for using our methods to create safe spaces for youth to set and achieve goals on their own terms.

Camp HOPE America’s evidence-based framework encourages participants to use their inherent gifts and strengths to experience hope, by overcoming challenges, and healing, by finding and using their voice to communicate boundaries, through our Challenge-By-Choice model. Our program is full of new experiences for every participant, from swimming in a lake, climbing a tall tower, dancing at a campfire, or spending time away from their family.

Two Classic campers, ages 7-11, were nervous about attending our overnight summer camp for the first time.

Before overnight camp, their Hope Team—the volunteers, mentors, camp counselors, and staff who make our work possible—gained their trust by listening to their concerns and offering reassurance to help them feel safe, seen, heard, and supported. When they arrived at camp, they were glad to have a peer to share the experience with but struggled to adjust to their new surroundings.

Equipped with trauma-informed training, their Hope Team helped them adapt to their environment and soothed their anxiety by creating realistic goals and outlining step-by-step plans to achieve them. Throughout the week, they approached challenges with the confidence of knowing they had a plan and the comfort of knowing they had a choice. The campers made lifelong memories and new friends, stopping to express their mutual appreciation and sharing a goodbye hug before going home.