FAQs

---

---

Q. How do I get a child involved?

A. Summer camp is the entry point to our program, and we accept applications from mid- February through mid-June. 

To qualify, 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.

Q. How do I request an application?

A. Call our office to begin the application process.  Part of the application process is a brief intake interview (15-20 minutes) with a non- family member who has worked with the child in a group setting (like your child's teacher.) 

We want to talk to your child's teacher, to understand how your child behaves in a group to see if he/she would be a good fit for Project AVARY.  If you prefer to keep the details of your family situation private, we will only ask the teacher about your child's behavior.

If the child qualifies, we will send you 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.

[back to top]

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

A. Yes.  Every child who comes to Camp AVARY must be seen by a doctor.  If the child does not have a family doctor or health insurance, we may be able to help find a local free clinic to make an appointment.

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?

A. Yes.  At our overnight summer camp, we have a full time nurse available to administer medication.

[back to top]

Q. My child can't swim.  Will they be safe?

A. Every child learns to swim at Camp AVARY, during swim class.  Our instructors are certified lifeguards, and all children learn with their life jackets on, until they become strong enough swimmers to swim safely without them. 

 Q. How much does your program cost for participants?

All of our programs are free.

[back to top]

Q. I have a teenager, can they be a part of the program?

A. 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.

 Q. What is the Teen Leadership Program?

A. 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.

[back to top]

Q. Do you have a mentoring program?

A. 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 Bay Area.

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

A. 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 multiple home placements during their time with the program. 

[back to top]