Hope Rising hosts Camp Konocti July28-31

Hope Rising, in partnership with North Coast Opportunities, Lake Family Resource Center and several other community organizations, will be hosting Camp Konocti for youth experiencing homelessness and foster youth ages 13 to 19.

Camp Konocti is designed as an in-depth resiliency building, First

Aid and CPR emergency preparedness camp open to 50 youth experiencing homelessness. The fourday, three-night summer camp on Cobb Mountain runs from July 28 to 31, 2020.

The camp will be run in alignment with strict protocols abiding with COVID-19 recommendations by the California Department of Public Health. “Keeping our youth safe while allowing them to enjoy camp life is a priority of everyone involved,” says Allison Panella, Hope Rising Executive Director.

The camp director,

Kate Gitchell, Administrative Manager at Hope Rising, brings together her health and wellness experience with her work in SafeRx Opioid Prevention and Community Wellness. ”We want our youth to have a purposeful experience, feel a sense of community, receive skilled training and have fun,” said Gitchell. “Serving as camp director is a wonderful privilege for me and an opportunity to support our youth to become more resilient while receiving certification in emergency medical services, CPR and first aid.”

Understanding that camp should be fun, additional activities include hiking, outdoor adventure, creative expression, swimming and water recreation. Leading these activities are more than 20 volunteer camp counselors from partner agencies including Adventist Health Clear Lake, Lake County Behavioral Health, Lake County Office of Education, Lake Family Resource Center, North

Coast Communities, and Redwood Community Services. Camp Konocti counselors and volunteers will be providing trainings and activities in both English and Spanish.

Camp Konocti is still looking for certified lifeguards willing to volunteer their time from 11:30 a.m.to 4 p.m. for one day or more Tuesday, July 28 through Thursday, July 31.

Enrollment is open and spaces are still available for homeless and foster youth. Register at https:// forms.gle/FLi2S2wt2bnyBpaZA. To learn more about the camp, or to see how you can participate, contact Kate Gitchell at 607-427-9467 or at kate@ hoperisinglc.org.

Hope Rising serves as a neutral convener to bring together leaders in our county to identify issues, develop innovative solutions, and implement agreed-upon actions with accountability and measurable outcomes. Hope Rising acts to raise, manage and disburse funds. Additionally, Hope Rising provides facilitation and project management support to drive the work forward and keep projects on track, ensuring active engagement of stakeholders and a focus on outcomes. Learn more about Hope Rising at http://www.hoperisinglc.org/