...for Social Service Agencies/referring parties

Q. How do I refer a child to your program?

If you are a referring party (a teacher social worker, mentor, or other professional) please call our offices, between February and June to begin the application process. 

This process begins with a brief intake interview (15-20 minutes) to assess the child's behavior, and to see if he/she would be a good fit for Project AVARY.   The sooner you contact us, the better a child's chances are of being accepted. 

If it is past the application period, request to be added to our mailing list.  We will send you a brochure when the next application cycles opens.

Q. What children qualify for your program?

To qualify for our program, children must be age 8 to 11, a resident of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, or San Francisco counties, and have a currently or recently incarcerated parent or older sibling.

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Q. Can I download an application or copy one I have for another child?

No.  All applications are sent out individually after the completion of the intake interview. Photocopied applications will not be accepted.

Q. What happens after the intake interview?

If the child qualifies, we will send out a one-page application and program brochure.  Please return this application to our offices.  Applications that are accepted, will receive a registration packet 1-3 weeks later.

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Q. Are there any other requirements I should know about?

Yes.  Every child who comes to Camp AVARY must be seen by a doctor.  If the child does not have a family doctor, or insurance, they may need to make an appointment at a local free clinic.  This is often the most challenging part of the application process.  Any assistance referring parties can provide in making a doctor's appointment is very appreciated.  Please be aware that appointments at a clinic can book-up quickly, so the sooner you make an appointment, the better.

Q. Do you accept children who are on medications?

Yes.  At our overnight summer camp, we have a full time nurse available to administer medication.  Many of our kids are on medication for ADHD, ADD, etc.

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Q. How much does your program cost for participants?

All of our programs are free.

Q. I have a teenager to refer. Can they be a part of the program?

Our program is an early intervention program, where youth progress through our program, earning privileges and responsibilities as they get older.  Our Teen Leadership Program builds on skills and experiences campers learn as they grow with us. 

For this reason we can only take children into the program who are age 8 to 11.   If your child is too old to participate in Project AVARY. we recommend the LIFE program through Centerforce which provides mentors and outings for teens with an incarcerated parents.

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Q. What is the Teen Leadership Program?

At age 13 children who have been involved with Project AVARY and who successfully met the program's expectations can apply to be accepted into the Teen Leadership Program.

The TLP is for 14 to 18 year olds and involves 4 years of training as a youth counselor; overnight retreats and single day Teen Adventure Days that teach advanced outdoor and wilderness skills and an appreciation for environmental stewardship; and a Teen Leadership Board that gives our Teens a voice and a role in setting Project AVARY's direction.

Q. Do you have a mentoring program?

Project AVARY provides a peer-to-peer mentoring model, where younger children in the program are matched with Junior Counselors or older teens in the Teen Leadership program. 

For families looking for more traditional mentoring models contact Big Brother/Big Sisters or Family Support Services of the East Bay.

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Q. Are most of the kids in your program in foster care?

Children in our program come from a wide variety of home situations.  Most live with their non-incarcerated parent.  Some live with a grandparent, or other kinship caregiver.  Some live with foster families, and others in group homes. 

Many of our kids cycle through mulitple home placements during their time with the program.