Camp Felix® 2022 Newsletter
With five sleepaway camps and two day camps, this 2022 season was our biggest summer yet!
From new locations and partnerships to a premiere camp session, this was truly an unforgettable summer for children in foster care.
CAMP FELIX® (AKA “OG CAMP FELIX”)
After 16 magical summers at our original Camp Felix site in Putnam Valley, we set our sights on bigger horizons in Sandyston, New Jersey!
With our longtime partner, The New York Foundling, we brought the same Camp Felix energy to our new home, including hosting our annual Open House BBQ Talent Show.
In addition to traditional Camp Felix activities like yoga and dancing, 133 children also enjoyed activities like ziplining and fishing over the course of three weeks.
CAMP FELIX PRIDE
After many years in the making, Camp Felix Pride finally made its grand debut in July for 6 days at the Camp Mattatuck site in Plymouth, CT!
We joined forces with our original partner, The New York Foundling, to create a unique camp program and safe space for LGBTQ+ children and allies in the foster care system and it was a hit.
From bike riding and archery to a Dress Up and Drag Runway show, 22 kids created special memories to last a lifetime.
BRYAN’S CAMP FELIX & GIRLS GETAWAY
This summer saw the triumphant return of our Camp Felix Girls Getaway and Bryan's Camp Felix programs!
Our continued partnership with the Bryan Jacobson Foundation and exciting new partnership with Forestdale Inc. in Queens allowed us to send 27 boys and girls to camp for five epic days at the Club Getaway campsite in Connecticut.
After participating in fun activities like bungee jumping, treetop obstacle courses and karaoke, the kids are already looking forward to the 2023 season!
CAMP FELIX ROAD TRIPS
Road Trips are a beloved tradition of childhood summers and that's why we don't do just one!
Every Friday in July and August, we sent a group of teens from two foster care agencies (Good Shepherd Services and Seamen's Society) on special trips outside of their neighborhood.
From horseback riding to observing oysters in Brooklyn, our kids had the opportunity to get some fresh air and spend quality time with friends in nature!
CAMP FELIX GARDEN
This year, the Camp Felix Garden at the Children's Home of Poughkeepsie was expanded to operate from the Spring through Autumn.
With support and guidance from our partner, Land to Learn, 20 children planted a variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers that they tended to throughout the summer months.
At their end-of-season celebration, they prepared a fresh Crunchy Beet Carrot Slaw. Yummy!
CAMP FELIX WEST
In partnership with Happy Trails for Kids, we kicked off the summer season with one week of Camp Felix West in June for 98 Los Angeles foster youth!
Some favorite activities included the High Ropes Course, making scrapbooks, and a "Bean Carnival" for which every cabin designed its own unique booth activity.
The theme of the week was "You've Got a Friend In Me," and in that spirit, we want to thank our West Coast Junior Board members and volunteers who helped send the kids off with supplies on their first day of camp!
BEYOND CAMP - THE MICHAEL LANG FUND
In February, we launched The Michael Lang Fund to provide Beyond Camp grants to foster youth for artistic pursuits in loving memory of founding Felix board member, Michael Lang, and his generous commitment to the children we serve.
Since then, we have given over 10 youth the opportunity to practice a variety of talents from singing and dancing to playing the guitar, plus arts programming for 500 youth at our 5 overnight camp programs. Thank you to all who made this possible!
We are grateful to all of our partners, supporters, volunteers, donors, and friends who help us make these unique experiences possible each summer. We’re already looking forward to the next!
