This week marked International Youth Day — an opportunity to celebrate young people and the communities and connections that help them thrive. Here in Nova Scotia, we’re celebrating the young people who spent an unforgettable week at Camp BELIEVE at the end of July.
Last year, Camp BELIEVE celebrated 10 years of creating compassionate connections, with 378 campers taking part over its first decade.
This one-of-a-kind sleep-away camp is for young people aged 10–18 who have a parent or guardian living with mental illness. Hosted by our friends at Brigadoon Village in Nova Scotia’s beautiful Annapolis Valley, Camp BELIEVE gives young people an opportunity to unplug, have fun and connect with others who understand what it’s like to navigate a parent’s depression, anxiety, PTSD or other mental illness.
For campers, it’s a week to try new things, build friendships and simply enjoy being a kid.
As one participant shared in our latest Community Report:
“It’s so much fun and you’ll make new friends!”
For parents and caregivers, the impact can be just as meaningful:
“A chance for them to let go of stresses at home and enjoy being a kid.”
The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia has been proud to partner with Brigadoon Village on Camp BELIEVE since 2016. Together, we’ve helped create a safe and supportive environment where young people can find meaningful connections, learn healthy coping skills and, importantly, discover that they aren’t alone in their experiences.
Ten years and 378 campers later, that sense of connection remains at the heart of Camp BELIEVE.
As we reflect on International Youth Day and another successful summer at camp, we’re grateful to our friends at Brigadoon Village, the dedicated staff and volunteers who make the week possible, and the donors whose generosity helps ensure young people can continue to experience the friendship, understanding and fun of Camp BELIEVE.
