Friendship, adventure, healing: How Camp Hope has transformed kids' lives for nearly a decade

GREENSBORO, N.C. —

For almost a decade now, Camp Hope has been a safe haven for dozens of kids who have been impacted by domestic violence.

This year, the camp welcomed 85 kids for its ninth year.

But this work all started in 2017, with 26 campers.

Questyn Hinton was one of them, coming to Camp Hope after dealing with her parents' divorce.

Hinton said when she first arrived at camp, she was shy and reserved. But she said year after year, this safe space allowed her to break out of her shell.

“It was a little bit different because I actually got to talk about what was happening at home and with people that actually understood what I was going through," she said. "It was always the same campers, the same counselors, and just building through on friendships throughout the years.”

Now, she's a camp counselor and said she hopes to help kids feel seen just as this program has done for her.

Community impact

Catherine Johnson is the director of the Guilford County Family Justice Center.

Johnson has announced that she is starting a new role as the president and chief executive officer of the Alliance for HOPE International. But she said the work she has done with Camp Hope has been one of the most impactful parts of her job.

"We can be in long-term relationships with these families and their children. Seeing them go from elementary school to high school graduates and seeing that full circle experience with them really shows the long-term power of this program," she said.

And in her new role working to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence around the world, she said she will carry these experiences with her.

Johnson said the program is free and allows kids to stay at the overnight camp for the week, participating in different experiences designed to help them challenge themselves, from horseback riding to ropes courses.

Hannah Mould is a child trauma specialist coordinator with the Family Justice Center and explained why activities like this are crucial to the camper's growth.

“When they conquer the high ropes course, or they interact with a horse for the first time, or they go on a ramp at the skate park … they experience hope in action by trying something hard, realizing they can do it and they know they are, can do hard things,” she said.

Johnson said over the past nine years, this work has only been possible with the support of the community.

She estimates that the organization received about $100,000 in donations every year and gets help from countless community volunteers, including fallen Greensboro Police Department officer Sgt. Dale Nix and partnering organizations.

To learn more about Camp Hope America, click here.