Camper Meetups

An extension of our camp programming, these virtual meetups give North Star Reach campers and their siblings, who are between the ages of 7 and 17, a chance to connect with peers in small online gathering spaces.

All meetups, which are exclusively for participants who have previously attended a North Star Reach summer or family program, are supervised by a minimum of two trained adults and are offered free of charge. Participants will be placed in groups with their peers of similar ages/developmental abilities.

Groups are small and all participants are asked to commit to regular attendance at each of the 60-minute sessions, which will meet every other week during the fall (Sept – Dec). All sessions will be recorded for security and oversight purposes; however, information, as well as what is shared, is kept strictly confidential.

The benefits of participating in the meetup group include:

  • Gain sense of belonging while decreasing feelings of isolation that children who live with serious illness and their siblings often experience
  • Develop friendships and social connections with peers
  • Have fun playing games and trying new activities
  • Opportunity to share experiences with others who have had a similar journey

Register your camper today by completing the form below.

Fall 2021 Camper Meetups

Camper Meetup for 7-9 Yr. Olds

When: Tuesdays, 6:00–7:00 p.m. (EST), every other week, starting September 14

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What: A chance for North Star Reach campers to meet and connect with their camp friends in small online gathering spaces. The group is supervised by a minimum of two trained adults.

Who: Facilitated by North Star Reach’s Katie Boczar and assisted by experienced program volunteers

Facilitator Bio:

A graduate of Central Michigan University, Katie Boczar has spent multiple summers within the SeriousFun Children’s Network since 2013, including Camp Boggy Creek and North Star Reach. She has also served as a Youth Development Manager at the YMCA, helping to manage its after-school programs and summer camp. Her passion in life is assisting others in fostering self-acceptance and self-love.

Camper Meetup for 10-12 Yr. Olds

When: Mondays, 6:00–7:00 p.m. (EST), every other week, starting September 13

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What: A chance for North Star Reach campers to meet and connect with their camp friends in small online gathering spaces. The group is supervised by a minimum of two trained adults.

Who: Facilitated by North Star Reach’s Monica Philipp and assisted by experienced program volunteers

Facilitator Bio:

Monica Philipp has been involved with camp since summer 2016 when she joined as a program volunteer. Whether through creative expressive activities or team building games, Monica loves to inspire a caring community where meaningful connections are possible. (When she’s not gathering around a campfire, real or virtual, with campers, she works to sustain meaningful relationships with our donors.)

Camper Meetup for 13-15 Yr. Olds

When: Mondays, 7:00–8:00 p.m. (EST), every other week, starting September 13 

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What: A chance for North Star Reach campers to meet and connect with their camp friends in small online gathering spaces. The groups are supervised by a minimum of two trained adults.

Who: Facilitated by Sami Eron and assisted by experienced program volunteers

Facilitator Bio:

Sami Eron began volunteering at North Star Reach in 2016. She has returned year after year as a volunteer (for both in-person and virtual camps), was  seasonal staff member in 2018 and 2019, and wrote her thesis about the power of camp. One of her greatest joys is to help campers make lasting connections with their peers who have been through similar experiences and to see the growth in confidence that happens through the magic of camp.

Solstice Meetup for 16-17 Yr. Olds 

When: Tuesdays, 7:00–8:00 p.m. (EST), every other week, starting September 14

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What: A Drop-in Session focused on keeping connected to camp and one another. If you just want to hang out, this is the meetup for you. Open to North Star Reach campers and siblings who are 16 and 17 years old. The group is supervised by a minimum of two trained adults.

Who: Facilitated by Mike “Coach” Parker and assisted by experienced program volunteers

Facilitator Bio:

Mike “Coach” Parker is a graduate of University of Michigan-Dearborn. He joined North Star Reach in 2019 as our volunteer director and plays a leadership role delivering our on-site and virtual camp programming.

Camper Meetup Registration

Parents and caregivers who wish to register more than one child will need to complete a separate registration for each eligible child. Spaces are limited and filled on a first come basis.

Camper Meetups Registration 2021
Meetup Group *

Camper Information

Gender *

Parent/Caregiver Information

Address *
Address
Street Address 2
City
State/Province
Zip/Postal
Is this phone number able to receive texts? *
Is this phone number able to receive texts? *

Please check the North Star Reach camp programs this camper has previously attended? *
Aside from potentially helping to get your camper set up and signed into our virtual meeting space on Zoom, will they be able to participate independently with limited assistance or prompting from a parent/caregiver? *
Does your camper typically require additional social or emotional support to make and keep friends? *
Has your camper been diagnosed with or have any behavioral and/or mental health-related disorders and/or special needs (i.e. ADD, ADHD, developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, mood disorders, or other psychological/social needs, etc.) *

Camper Meetup Waivers & Consents

We ask each parent/guardian to give permission for their child to participate in our camper meetup groups by consenting to the following policies, procedures and expected behavior at North Star Reach programs. If you have more than one child registered for a camper meetup group, you and each child will need to submit a completed form.

By clicking on the boxes below, you and your camper acknowledge that you have read and agree to the required consents and waivers. All fields are required. Here is the “official” legalese disclaimer: In consideration of being allowed to participate in programs delivered by North Star Reach, you (as the Participant’s parent or legal guardian) and your camper (the Participant), do hereby agree to the fullest extent permitted by law to the required policies and waivers below:

Program Consent

I understand that through the virtual camp setting, North Star Reach may use a variety of delivery platforms to provide program content and I am responsible for online security related to participation in the programming. I also acknowledge North Star Reach will not be providing supervision of my child or children, and that I am fully responsible for any and all necessary supervision. I also represent that the location being used by any member of my family is safe and adequate for participation in this program. *
I agree that I will not permit any minor who has not been accepted into this program, or whose parents have not signed this document to in any way participate in camp's online activities. *
I hereby release, discharge and otherwise indemnify North Star Reach, its affiliated organizations and sponsors, its officers, directors, employees, volunteers and agents (the “Camp Parties”) against any claim by me or any family caregiver as a result of our participation in any program or activity sponsored, coordinated, or supervised by North Star Reach. I also agree to release, discharge and agree to hold harmless and indemnify the Camp Parties with respect to any medical expenses resulting from personal injuries sustained by my family while engaged in such activities. *

Recording Consent

I agree that North Star Reach can record the Zoom meetings my child participates in for security purposes. All Zoom meetings will enable waiting room and passcode security to ensure only registered campers enter the meeting space. Because these meetings may be personal in nature, North Star Reach will keep recordings, and all information shared, strictly confidential. *
In the interest of respecting the privacy of other support group members, I agree not to take screenshots or to record in any manner of online programming, including zoom gatherings, breakout rooms or comment areas. *

Communication Policy Consent

As part of our policies and procedures, we do not allow staff or volunteers to communicate with camper families or support group participants via various social media sites, email, mobile phones and mail outside of official programs. Our staff and volunteers participate in an extensive screening, selection and training processes and are supervised by our support team during camp and support groups to ensure their behavior is professional and appropriate at all times. We cannot take responsibility for their behavior once camp or a support group has ended. *

Camp Code Contract

We ask every support group participant to read the Camp Code Contract. Once you have read the Camp Code Contract, check the box to confirm that you and any other participating caregiver in your family accepts the responsibility to meet these behavior expectations. If behaviors are inconsistent with our Camp Code, the participant(s) may immediately be removed from the meeting/gathering until a course of further action is determined.
I agree to the Camp Code Contract *

Get in touch!

Contact and Subscribe (Mobile)
Inquiry Options *

EMAIL

​info@northstarreach.org

PHONE

(734) 680.8744

FAX

(734) 961.4163

North Star Reach Camp

1200 University Camp Drive
Pinckney, MI 48169

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

North Star Reach is an independent nonprofit medical speciality camp based in Pinckney, Michigan. We provide life-changing camp experiences for children living with serious illnesses and their families, at no charge to them. You can support us today by making a donation.

Click Here & Donate

Stay Connected

PHONE

(734) 680.8744

North Star Reach Camp

1200 University Camp Drive
Pinckney, MI 48169

Stay Connected

FAX

(734) 961.4163

EMAIL

​info@northstarreach.org
 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

North Star Reach is an independent nonprofit medical speciality camp based in Pinckney, Michigan. We provide life-changing camp experiences for children living with serious illnesses and their families, at no charge to them. You can support us today by making a donation.

Click Here & Donate
Contact and Subscribe (Desktop)
Inquiry Options *
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