All children with special needs should be given the opportunity to enjoy a summer camp experience.

Our Campers

Children need nurturing, safe and supportive environments so they can experience the delight of youth, achieve their developmental tasks and become successful adults. This is why the Chrysalis Foundation for Mental Health raises private dollars to provide children with the opportunity to engage in a special camp program that welcomes them and is tailored to their particular needs. The campers, ranging in age from 6 to 13, are challenged with emotional and behavioral challenges and/or developmental disabilities.

Our Campsites

Carol Woods and Carolina Meadows are local retirement communities in Chapel Hill that donate the use of their state-of-the-art facilities to Camp MeadowWood each summer for free. The communities provide heated swimming pools, large air-conditioned recreational rooms, ponds for fishing, croquet, a golf course, tennis courts and acres of land for play.

Our Volunteers

The highlight of camp at the retirement communities is the resident volunteers. Residents sign up for morning sessions every day to spend with the children and eagerly lead them in activities such as fishing lessons, croquet, arts and crafts, exercise class, storytelling and bird watching. The intergenerational interaction between the children and the residents is priceless.

The Cost

FREE. The cost of a therapeutic camp is prohibitive for most families, so tuition is paid in full. The Chrysalis Foundation for Mental Health raises private funds to pay for the full cost of camp; salaries, transportation meals and entertainment. One week of camp for each child is approximately $800. The camper-to-staff ratio is 3:1, and counselors are child mental health professionals.