Camp Omaha reunites siblings separated from foster care needs volunteers

Siblings separated in foster care don’t always have the opportunity to bond. Camp Catch-Up helps eight- to 19-year-olds reconnect during the summer or fall. The camp is looking for volunteers for its next summer session. It will be in western Nebraska at Camp Cameca and runs from July 11th to July 14th. This camp is a special place. Aside from playing a round of gaga ball or sitting around the campfire, the kids reunite with their estranged siblings. foster care.Lily Palmer said she doesn’t change much when she sees her older brother. “He’s growing, but he’s growing every time, but that’s the only difference,” Palmer said. She was adopted in 2017. Palmer said she only sees her brother once every two months. “I miss him a lot when I don’t get to see him because we’re so close,” she said. They shared the meal, along with her other two sisters, and talked in a carriage. “Talking to him about his school life and stuff, it’s always fun to hear,” Palmer said. The opportunity to bond with her younger siblings is what keeps Heather Brannan coming back, too. She started as a camper at 15 and is now a volunteer. “Camp is home to me,” Brannan said. She was separated from four other siblings as a teenager. Her brother, Kenny Leija, lives in Arizona. They last saw each other a year ago. “It means a lot in the long run because I know that every year it’s guaranteed that this camp will allow me to see my brothers,” Leija said. Director Mona Tarin said it’s important for siblings to bond so they don’t grow apart when they grow up. “They are their first friends, and as they become adults, they need to have their family there,” Tarin said. Leija said she was making the most of the short time she had with her family. “We’re growing so fast, times are changing very quickly,” he said. Tarin is looking for volunteers to make a lasting impact on the lives of these children. She said many of their volunteers travel from Omaha and Lincoln. “We really need volunteers all over the state,” Tarin said. Volunteers take care of the brothers’ families. “I love making camp fun for other kids like it was made for me,” Brannan said. He wants to see kids like Palmer enjoying their time with family. “I’m always excited to come back,” Palmer said. The fall camp session is September 27 – 29 at Camp Solaris in Firth, Nebraska. Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7

NEBRASKA CITY, Neb.

Siblings separated in foster care don’t always have the opportunity to bond.

Camp Catch-Up helps eight- to 19-year-olds reconnect during the summer or fall.

The camp is looking for volunteers for its next summer session. It will be in western Nebraska at Camp Cameca and will run from July 11-14.

This camp is a special place.

In addition to playing a round of gaga ball or hanging around the campfire, the kids are reunited with siblings they were separated from in foster care.

Lily Palmer said she doesn’t change much when she sees her older brother.

“He’s growing, but he’s growing every time, but that’s the only difference,” Palmer said.

It was adopted in 2017.

Palmer said he only sees his brother once every two months.

“I miss him a lot when I don’t get to see him because we’re so close,” she said.

They shared the meal, along with her other two sisters, and talked in a carriage.

“Talking to him about his school life and stuff, it’s always fun to hear,” Palmer said.

The opportunity to bond with her younger siblings is what keeps Heather Brannan coming back, too.

She started as a camper at the age of 15 and is now a volunteer.

“Camp is home to me,” Brannan said.

She was separated from four other siblings as a teenager.

Her brother, Kenny Leija, lives in Arizona.

They last saw each other a year ago.

“It means a lot in the long run because I know that every year it’s guaranteed that this camp will allow me to see my brothers,” Leija said.

Director Mona Tarin said it’s important for siblings to bond so they don’t grow apart when they grow up.

“They are their first friends, and as they become adults, they need to have their family there,” Tarin said.

Leija said she was making the most of the short time she had with her family.

“We’re growing so fast, times are changing very quickly,” he said.

Tarin is looking for volunteers to make a lasting impact on the lives of these children. She said many of their volunteers travel from Omaha and Lincoln.

“We really need volunteers all over the state,” Tarin said.

Volunteers take care of the brothers’ families.

“I love making camp fun for other kids like it was made for me,” Brannan said.

He wants to see kids like Palmer enjoying their time with family.

“I’m really excited to always come back,” Palmer said.

The fall camp session is September 27-29 at Camp Solaris in Firth, Nebraska.

Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7