Free Maplegrove Summer Camps Help Children of Families Impacted by Substance Abuse Learn to Cope

Henry Ford Health System’s is hosting free summer camp education and support programs for children, ages 5 to 17 years old, who are living in situations with alcohol/drug abuse, mental illness, or other extraordinary stress.

Growing up in a home where there is substance abuse, mental illness, or other family stresses can be confusing and difficult for children. Maplegrove Children’s Programs, established in 1990, help children and teens learn about addiction, appropriate ways of expressing their feelings, safe decision-making, and how to get help. Children also learn that they are not to blame and are not alone.

Each session’s fun activities focus on topic information, skill development and practice, as well as related games and crafts. Topics include feelings, defenses, coping, chemical use awareness, chemical dependency, peer pressure, decision-making, and self-care.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate in sessions where they learn what the children are learning and have an opportunity to develop complementary parenting skills as well as to network with others experiencing similar issues. The parent program is held at the same time as the children’s sessions.

Camp sessions are available at the following locations:

Livonia - St. Colette Catholic High School, 17600 Newburgh Rd., Livonia
9 a.m. – noon, Monday through Friday, June 20 – 24

West Bloomfield - Maplegrove Center
6 – 8:30 p.m., June 22 - July 27

Ferndale - Theodore Roosevelt School, 2610 Pinecrest Dr., Ferndale
9 a.m. – noon, Monday through Friday, July 18 – 22

Wyandotte - First Presbyterian Church of Wyandotte, 98 Superior Blvd., Wyandotte
5:30 – 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, July 25 – 29

The camps are free of charge, but registration is required. For more information or to register, call the Maplegrove Community Education Office in West Bloomfield at (248) 661-6170 or Downriver at (734) 282-5497 to register.

Adolescents who may be abusing alcohol and other drugs should contact Maplegrove Center for available education and treatment services at 248-661-6100.