Camp Mariposa
Camp Mariposa South Bend is a free addiction prevention and mentoring program for youth affected by the substance use disorder of a family member.
Camp Mariposa
Camp Mariposa South Bend is a free addiction prevention and mentoring program for youth affected by the substance use disorder of a family member.
Kids enjoy traditional camp fun, learn healthy coping skills and build support
Program info:
Youth ages 9-12 attend weekend camps up to six times a year. Weekend camps offer fun, traditional camp activities combined with education and support sessions led by mental health professionals and trained adult mentors. Additional social activities are offered for youth and their families throughout the year. Camp Mariposa South Bend also offers programs for teens ages 13-17. All program activities are free to families. Camp Mariposa South Bend is part of Eluna’s national Camp Mariposa program.
Camp Mariposa:
- Reduces feelings of isolation and guilt
- Provides a safe place for youth
- Fosters peer bonding
- Educates campers about the disease of addiction
- Teaches positive life skills
See how Camp Mariposa makes a difference!
How you can get involved:
Become a mentor
- Make a one-year commitment to attend at least four camp weekends, as well as activities offered outside of camp
- Create a positive, fun, supportive and trusting atmosphere for campers
- Facilitate camper and cabin group bonding
- Participate in and/or facilitate sharing activities
- Eat all meals and share a cabin with assigned campers
- Background check required
If you’re interested in becoming a mentor, email campmariposa@oaklawn.org and ask for an application.
Enroll a camper
Camp Mariposa is currently on a waiting list, but complete this form or email campmariposa@oaklawn.org and you will be invited to fill out an application, which will add you to the wait list.
2023 Camp Dates
Camp Mariposa is held six times per year and begins at 5 p.m. on Friday and runs through 12:30 Sunday. Camp dates for the year are:
- March 17-19, 2023
- May 5-7, 2023
- September 22-24, 2023
- October 20-22, 2023
- December 1-3, 2023
Teen Camp is held six times per year and begins at 5 p.m. on Friday and runs through 7 p.m. Saturdays. Transportation is provided. Buses take campers from Oaklawn campuses to camp and back. Camp dates for the year are:
- March 3-4, 2023
- May 12-13, 2023
- September 8-9, 2023
- October 13-14, 2023
- December 8-9, 2023
Donate to Camp Mariposa
Camp Mariposa is offered completely free to families thanks to Eluna and generous funds from the Oaklawn Foundation made possible by partners in our community. Support Camp Mariposa by making a donation to the Oaklawn Foundation here: https://oaklawndonate.org/give/.
Learn about Eluna
Eluna is a public, 501(c)(3) non-profit with a mission to support children and families impacted by grief or addiction. Founded in 2000 in Seattle by former MLB pitcher Jamie Moyer and child advocate Karen Phelps Moyer, Eluna was originally called The Moyer Foundation and launched a series of programs supporting thousands of children and families annually at no cost to them. Camp Erin® is the largest national network of grief programs for bereaved children and teens, Camp Mariposa® is a national addiction prevention and mentoring program for youth impacted by a family member’s substance use disorder, and the Eluna Resource Center offers online tools, local referrals and personalized phone and email support for families experiencing grief, addiction and other related issues.
For more information, please visit elunanetwork.org.
More information
Have questions or need more information? Contact the Camp Mariposa Coordinator at 574-533-1234 or email campmariposa@oaklawn.org.