A Busy Summer
Greetings,
Many of you might ask, “where did it go?” . Yes summer is over my friends and it’s time again to slow down and settle in for fall and winter. We have had a great summer here. We are coming off of our annual SpiritWorks Summer Camp which was a tremendous success. And, a fabulous pre hurricane Irene 5K race, the Recovery Rocks Race. I am grateful to all who participated in both events. I am even more grateful to those who helped and supported those events. We could not have done it without you.
We have also been busy creating trainings, welcoming our new employee Tim, putting final touches on the Barn and preparing new programs. Fall will be an exciting Fall for us as well. I hope that you will find a way to connect with us by either stopping by, sending an email, giving us a call or posting a comment on my blog.
Until next time,
peace, Jan
SpiritWorks Summer Camp
Greetings,
With summer just beginning we are getting excited about this year’s summer camp. If you are looking to register a child for the camp please do so sooner than later as we are hoping to fill up quickly. And, stay tuned to our Website and my blog because we are going to be expanding this year’s program and introducing some new activities. The dates for this year’s camp are August 15 – 19th.
The link to the Children and Youth page with information about the Summer Camp is http://www.spiritworksfoundation.org/programs-and-services/children-and-youth.
If you have any questions or need additional information please contact me at the Center at (757) 564-0001 or use my email address, jan@spiritworksfoundation.org
Until next time,
Peace, Jan
New Music Program for Youth
“Changing Lives through Music” is the name of an exciting new program at SpiritWorks. Working with a professional music producer and facilitators, youth will develop life skills while learning how to create music. Hear what executive director says about the program in this short video:
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Day
Greetings,
Did you know? Alcohol is the leading known preventable cause of mental and physical birth defects in the United States.
I write this to bring you awareness of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Day. Held the ninth day of the ninth month of the year, the purpose is for the world to remember that during the nine months of pregnancy a woman should abstain from alcohol. On this day people all around the world gather for events to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy and the plight of individuals and families who struggle with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.
I have witnessed the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome on several children and youth who now have lasting and permanent effects. It is devastating to the families, the communities and ultimately the whole of society.
For more information on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome visit www.fasday.com or http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/brain/fas.html#.
Peace, Jan
The Spirit of the Horses
Greetings,
I’m recovering from a wonderful week of camp. Twenty children and youth descended upon Airfield 4H camp in Wakefield, VA for the 3rd Annual SpiritWorks Summer Camp. The beginning of the week started with horses from Rocky Hill Stables. The animals were massive, some up to 1500 pounds which caused me a bit of trepidation for my little guys and girls some who weighed less than 70 pounds. Barbara and her crew were great with the campers many of whom had never been around horses.
As I watched the relationships forming between the campers and the horses I was amazed at how they came about. Starting with grooming and ending with washing the horses each encounter seemed to build upon the previous one. Watching our younger campers lead Star through the obstacle course and one of our new campers fall in love with Bo was incredible. Being a witness to children painting their mandala drawings on the horses was beautiful. It is an experience that will stay with me forever. More to follow… Peace, Jan
First Day of SpiritWorks Foundation Camp
We’re at Airfield 4-H Camp in beautiful Wakefield, Virginia. Nineteen children and youth are here to learn more about the family disease of addiction and how it affects them. They’re learning new coping and recovery skills in this special place.
They’re also having fun, making new friends, and re-connecting with old friends. Some of the new friends have webbed feet or four legs! We’ve already met geese and goats. One of the goats is expecting babies and they’re due any day now! Rumor has it that there are lots of horse stables here, so who knows what tomorrow’s activities will include …
Geese at Airfield 4H Camp, Wakefield, VA
Goats at Airfield 4H Camp, Wakefield, VA
We swam in the pool this afternoon, then got cleaned up for dinner. Before we went into the dining hall, we learned how to retire the flags for the evening. We learned the special rules for folding flags. The United States flag gets folded into a triangle, while the Virginia State and 4H flags are folded into rectangles. The flags deserve our respect and everyone participated with grace.
Folding the United States flag.
Folding the Virginia State flag
Folding the 4H flag
Until tomorrow, then.
Peace,
Jan
SpiritWorks Summer Camp Gone to the Horses
Greetings,
We are starting to get very excited about the upcoming SpiritWorks Summer Camp, August 23-27th. This will be our third year of camp and several of our campers will be returning again, many for the third time. This year promises to be as wonderful an experience as all of the others as this year the camp will feature HALT (Horse Assisted Leadership Training). The HALT program is experiential in nature with the horses being our assistant teachers. It will allow our campers to connect with their unique talents, gifts, skills, and personality. Since horses are used for emotional growth and learning the experience will require the children and youth to be emotionally, physically, spiritually, mentally and socially engaged with the horses and themselves. It’s challenging for me to imagine what the experience will be like so stay tuned, I’m sure I will have lots to say about it, as will the children and youth.
We still have space in the camp for additional children and youth who are interested in attending. Visit the SpiritWorks Children and Youth page at www.spiritworksfoundation.org/?page_id=61 for more information and download the brochure.
And of course, stay tuned for updates, photos and additional information.
peace, Jan
Children and Youth
Nothing you have done has ever caused your mom or dad to drink too much or to use drugs. It’s not your fault! Call or email us today to see how you can join our programs—we’re saving a spot for you! (757) 564-0001 or jan@spiritworksfoundation.org
Youth Share Thoughts on Recovery
Watch youth at SpiritWorks talk about recovery from the family disease of addiction. Recovery rocks!
Children’s Program Success Stories
In this short video Jan Brown shares success stories from SpiritWorks children’s program.
SpiritWorks Mission
The mission of SpiritWorks Foundation is to help individuals and families sustain long term recovery from addiction, and to help children and youth live free from the intergenerational cycle of addiction in their families.
SpiritWorks Foundation is la 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, located at 5800 Mooretown Road in Williamsburg, VA, 23188.
The 3,000 square foot Recovery Center provides programs and services for children, youth, and adults affected by the damaging effects of addiction. Take a virtual tour of the center (PDF)
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