Time out from the stress of delivering high-intensity care helps caregivers focus on their well-being and restore their energy. As a result, children are more likely to remain in the home.
What Is Camp Journey Respite Care?
Camp Journey is a facility-based respite program. It aims to keep families together by providing short-term, temporary care to youth ages 11 to 17. The year-round program offers recreational activities so youth with behavioral or emotional challenges can have fun and learn new skills.
The program offers hourly and overnight services. By giving parents and caregivers a periodic, planned break, we help reduce stress at home and increase the likelihood that children can remain in their home.
Respite Care by Sheppard Pratt: Why Choose Us?
Sheppard Pratt has been offering Camp Journey for more than 15 years. We are one of only two facility-based respite programs in the state of Maryland. Only a handful of programs like this exist in the entire country.
Camp Journey Respite Care Program: What to Expect
Youth attend Camp Journey in regularly scheduled visits daily, weekly, or on weekends.
At Camp Journey, youth have a lot of fun while learning how to reframe their stress. They also learn new skills that may help them manage their symptoms better on a daily basis. Youth learn to perform chores such as:
- Light cleaning, like sweeping
- Meal preparation
- Taking out the trash
Programs are designed to teach coping skills, plus care and respect for others. Youth may participate in:
- Activities like basketball, swimming, snow tubing, and roller skating
- Arts and crafts
- Outdoor fun through camping, gardening, and time around a campfire
- Outings to museums and professional ballgames
- Table games like foosball, pingpong, and billiards
Camp Journey’s highly trained facilitators act as mentors to children. They offer positive interactions as youth take part in activities. They also provide helpful guidance to youth who need to self-administer medication during the program.
Program Eligibility
To participate at no cost, Camp Journey participants must be eligible for medical assistance.
Learn More About Camp Journey
Camp Journey is one of Sheppard Pratt’s comprehensive offerings to help children and teens enjoy satisfying and meaningful lives, even with mental illness. In addition to Camp Journey, we have a variety of programs designed to meet the mental health needs of children and adults.
To learn more about the program or request enrollment, contact Camp Journey at 301-682-3446.