2nd Annual Camp Hope Norfolk to be held next week

The Norfolk Sheriff’s Office is gearing up for our second annual Camp HOPE Norfolk being held from Sunday, August 14 to Saturday, August 20, 2022.

In 2021, the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Family Justice Center, established Camp HOPE Norfolk, the first summer camp and mentoring program in Virginia for children who have experienced primary or secondary abuse or trauma. Camp HOPE Norfolk is modeled after other Camp HOPE programs throughout the United States but is the only Camp HOPE in the country lead by a sheriff’s office.

Twenty camp attendees, who range in age from 8-11-years-old, will spend a week at YMCA Camp Silver Beach in Jamesville, VA participating in a variety of activities offered by Camp Silver Beach and learning from a clinically proven curriculum designed to help children overcome trauma. Six Norfolk Sheriff’s Office deputies, two YWCA staff, and four volunteers will accompany the youth participants, with some serving as camp counselors. The Norfolk Sheriff’s Office has procured a federal grant that will cover the cost of the camp for the youth attendees, making the camp free for each child to attend.

The goal of Camp HOPE Norfolk is to create an environment where youth can feel safe, seen, heard, encouraged, and cared for. In addition to the week-long camp, monthly activities are held throughout the year to bring Camp HOPE participants together and introduce them to new experiences, hobbies, team-building activities, and more.

(Photos from last year’s camp are available upon request.)

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The Norfolk Sheriff's Office is a values driven organization
committed to public safety, public service, and public trust.