PLATINUM2024

CAMP DREAMCATCHER, INC

therapeuticcamp

Kennett Square, PA   |  www.campdreamcatcher.org

Mission

The mission of Camp Dreamcatcher is:
1. To provide therapeutic and educational programs to HIV/AIDS impacted youth and their families.
2. To foster an atmosphere of tolerance, compassion, respect and understanding through volunteer opportunities, services and expanded community outreach.

Ruling year info

1999

Executive Director

Ms. Patty Hillkirk

Main address

148 West State Street Suite 104

Kennett Square, PA 19348 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

23-2980323

NTEE code info

Children's and Youth Services (P30)

Children's and Youth Services (P30)

AIDS (G81)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Register now

Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

There are more than 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. In 2016, 39,782 people received a new HIV diagnosis in the U.S. Among people aged 13-24 who are living with HIV, an estimated 44% do not know about their infection. Individuals in that same age group, 13-24, accounted for 24% of newly diagnosed HIV infections. (www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/data-and-trends/statistics). Camp Dreamcatcher provides the only therapeutic camp program for HIV/AIDS impacted youth on the east coast. We offer programs throughout the year and there is always a waiting list for our programs. The physical, financial and emotional challenges faced by the families served by Camp Dreamcatcher are complex. In addition to the issue of HIV/AIDS, 70% of the children served have experienced some form of abuse, 50% have lost one or both parents and 25% have been diagnosed with a mental health condition.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Therapeutic and Educational Programs

Camp Dreamcatcher provides free therapeutic and educational programs to HIV/AIDS impacted youth.

Population(s) Served
People with HIV/AIDS
Children and youth

Where we work

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Number of youth who demonstrate that they have developed a strong sense of self

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Therapeutic and Educational Programs

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Camper Evaluation Results: • Did you feel accepted at camp? Yes 100% • Did you have fun at camp? Yes 100% • Do you feel safe at camp? Yes 100% • Did you feel supported by the staff Yes 100%

Number of students receiving information on HIV/AIDS and STDs

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Therapeutic and Educational Programs

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Number of youth who have a positive adult role model

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Therapeutic and Educational Programs

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

70% of the campers and volunteers have been attending our programs for over ten years and have established deep bonds.

Number of youth who volunteer/participate in community service

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Therapeutic and Educational Programs

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

40% of the camp counselors were once campers, and volunteer for the camp session.

Number of youth who demonstrate that they have developed social skills (e.g., interpersonal communication, conflict resolution)

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Therapeutic and Educational Programs

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

• Was there someone to talk to at camp? Yes 99% • Were you able to talk about HIV/AIDS at camp? Yes 96% • Did you feel like you could ask for help at camp? Yes 96% • Did you make friends? Yes 95%

Number of youth who demonstrate leadership skills (e.g., organizing others, taking initiative, team-building)

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Therapeutic and Educational Programs

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

The Progressive Leadership Programs begin at age 15 and include leadership training & team-building.

Average youth self-rating of functioning and coping skills

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Therapeutic and Educational Programs

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Number of youth who plan to attend post-secondary education

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Therapeutic and Educational Programs

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Number of youth who identify, manage, and appropriately express emotions and behaviors

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Therapeutic and Educational Programs

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Number of youth who consider the implications of their actions on others, their community, and the environment

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Therapeutic and Educational Programs

Type of Metric

Output - describing our activities and reach

Direction of Success

Increasing

Context Notes

Restorative Practice Programs

Number of youth who demonstrate that they have developed positive relationships

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Related Program

Therapeutic and Educational Programs

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Increasing

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

• To improve the physical and emotional health of HIV/AIDS impacted youth.

• To offer educational sessions that explore issues, problems and concerns common amongst HIV/AIDS infected and/or affected youth.

• To increase HIV medication adherence. One of the most challenging issues we face is the low rate of compliance with HIV medications, which research has indicated to be as low as 29-41%.

• To increase knowledge about HIV/AIDS and to explore attitudes and values regarding this issue.

• To give the children and adolescents attending our programs the chance to feel free from the secret of HIV/AIDS and have fun – just like any other kids!

We offer a “disclosure” camp experience, which means that the campers know about the HIV infection in their family. They are free to talk about the problems and concerns and feelings associated with the disease in a safe, therapeutic and confidential environment. We provide factual information about HIV/AIDS to dispel the myths and stigma associated with the disease. The campers, parents/guardians, hospital personnel and other referral agencies confirm the positive physical, emotional and social impact of the camp week program.

• To improve the physical and emotional health of the children. 115 therapeutic sessions (psychotherapy, music therapy, art therapy, sessions with therapeutic dogs, yoga, equine mindfulness-based therapy, a mindfulness center, wilderness-based therapy, and massage) will be offered during the camp week.

• To offer educational sessions that explore issues, problems and concerns common amongst HIV/AIDS infected and/or affected youth. 45 age-appropriate educational sessions will be provided on depression, HIV/AIDS, grief, eating disorders, body image, abuse, addiction, HIV medication compliance, conflict resolution, anger management, puberty education, and suicide prevention.

• To give the children and adolescents attending our programs the chance to feel free from the secret of HIV/AIDS and have fun – just like any other kids! During the camp week, we will provide 155 recreational programs. These will include arts & crafts, archery, karate, swimming, fishing, hiking, go-kart racing, Escape Rooms, Hedgerow Theatre, miniature golf, dodge ball, basketball, horseback riding, Moon Bounce, Dorrie’s Store, hip hop dancing, volleyball, bonfires, a high ropes course and the annual John Flynn Concert!

We provide trauma informed camp programming which implements the following:
• A physical and emotional safe environment.
• Predictable Schedule & Camp Traditions that increase security and a feeling of Belonging at camp.
• Clear emotional and physical boundaries.
• Caring adults & the opportunity to form positive relationships
• Opportunities that develop a sense of agency and control over their lives.
• Provides resources and tools that help campers identify and process their emotions.
• Opportunities to be vulnerable and to receive compassionate and caring support.
• Sensitivity to trauma triggers at camp.
• Therapists who understand the impact of ACE’s and how to support children at camp
• Opportunities to shift from a place of isolation and stigma to empowerment and resiliency.

SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE PAST 26 YEARS:

• Total Number of unduplicated HIV/AIDS Impacted Youth served: 5,900 children
• Camp Dreamcatcher has provided 27camp sessions and 29 retreats to children and families coping with HIV/AIDS.
• We provided 35 Reunion Events for HIV/AIDS impacted children and their families.
• 1,100 children received gifts through our holiday Adopt-a-Family Program.
• HIV/AIDS education and outreach has been provided to over 500 schools and community groups, reaching over 20,000 people.
• THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS SINCE INCEPTION IS 240,650!

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We shared information about our current feedback practices.

  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

    We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback

Financials

CAMP DREAMCATCHER, INC
lock

Unlock financial insights by subscribing to our monthly plan.

Subscribe

Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more about GuideStar Pro.

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

lock

Connect with nonprofit leaders

Subscribe

Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

CAMP DREAMCATCHER, INC

Board of directors
as of 06/12/2024
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board co-chair

Raynetta Adams


Board co-chair

Letitia Cheatham

Camp Dreamcatcher, Inc.

Term: 2024 - 2025

KC Wolfe

Elizabeth Berger

Kelly Daniels

Raynetta Adams

Mark Stewart

Jack Welsh

Letitia Cheatham

Susan Higginbotham

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 9/1/2022
info Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
White/Caucasian/European
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or Straight
Disability status
Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

Disability

Equity strategies

Last updated: 09/01/2022

GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more

Data
  • We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
  • We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
  • We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
  • We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
  • We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
  • We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured.
  • We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
Policies and processes
  • We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
  • We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions.
  • We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
  • We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
  • We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
  • We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team.
  • We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.