MEDFORD - Burlington County is continuing its campaign to eliminate stigmas surrounding mental illness and substance abuse with the return of Camp Cardinal, a free day-camp program for children impacted by substance use disorder.
Two Burlington County sponsored camp sessions will be held this year at YMCA of the Pines in Medford. The first will be held on Saturday, June 14, from 9 AM to 3 PM, and the second will be on Saturday, Oct. 25, also from 9 AM to 3 PM.
Registration is now open for all eligible participants to attend the June 14 session. Registration will be opened for the Oct. 25 camp later this summer.
"Substance use disorder is an illness that can be devastating to entire families. It often impacts multiple generations and can leave children vulnerable," said Burlington County Commissioner Director Dr. Felicia Hopson, liaison to the Department of Human Services. "Camp Cardinal is designed to help children learn the skills they need to break the intergenerational cycle. Our first two years of this program were very successful, and we are excited to continue to make this service available."
The camp program is run by the Burlington County Department of Human Services with the Burlington County Traumatic Loss Coalition for Youth and YMCA camp staff. It is open exclusively to children ages 7 to 14 who have suffered a loss due to substance use disorder or been impacted by substance use disorder.
The camp provides a safe space for children to interact and participate in activities such as tie-dying, canoeing, tandem zipline, drum circle and s'mores making, as well as special group sessions devoted to coping skills and building resiliency to stress, anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses.
The camp is free to eligible children. Transportation to and from camp is provided and participating children receive meals, a bookbag, t-shirt, journal and water bottle.
Families interested in the program can apply at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CampCardinal2025
For questions about the program, call 609-265-5794 or email klogue@co.burlington.nj.us .
The Camp Cardinal program is part of Burlington County's comprehensive response to the nationwide opioid and substance use epidemic. As part of the fight, the County Commissioners launched a campaign to eliminate all stigmas surrounding mental illnesses, including substance abuse. By eliminating stigma, the Commissioners hope to increase awareness and encourage residents to seek the help needed to overcome or manage their conditions.
In addition to the anti-stigma campaign, the Commissioners also supported the creation of the Hope One For Youth mobile outreach unit. It specializes in education and mental health services for children and teens.
Earlier this spring, the Commissioners also approved appropriating $200,000 from Burlington County's opioid settlement funds for evidence-based substance abuse prevention programs in every Burlington Couty municipality. Each of the county's 40 towns is eligible to receive a $5,000 grant to either implement a local program or support an existing one in their municipality or school district.
"In Burlington County, we are doing everything possible to eliminate stigmas surrounding mental illnesses and to educate children and teens about the dangers of substance use," said Burlington County Commissioner Deputy Director Allison Eckel, the liaison to County schools. "We know prevention education can work and that programs like Camp Cardinal and Hope One for Youth can help children who are the most vulnerable."