Dear ExCamps Friends and Supporters,
I am beyond thrilled to share with you that today, Cara Allen will begin in her new role as Clinical Director of Experience Camps. The addition of this full-time position to our team signifies the commitment to growth by our Board of Directors and allows us to broaden and deepen the emotional support of the campers and caregivers we serve.
Cara has served as Director of Camper Services for our California boys’ program since 2014 and knows first-hand how impactful the combination of camp and bereavement support is for our campers. Cara holds both an MSW and a Masters of Management degree and has worked extensively in bereavement for the past 14 years, where she was awarded numerous awards in the field of social work.
I am thankful for all of you who played a role in allowing us to reach this exciting milestone. Please join me in welcoming Cara to her new position.
Campfully,
Sara
Get To Know Our New Clinical Director
A: I have always wanted to make the world better. At least in my little corner. Social work seemed like a great way to do that. I come from a long line of “helpers”. I was a peer counselor in high school and loved sitting in the closet “office” waiting for people to come and talk with me. I experienced a lot of death during those years, and started becoming interested in how different people cope and how society handles grief. During college I volunteered with Planned Parenthood’s rape crisis center and had a powerful night with a man who had been raped and was HIV positive. Holding his hand that night I decided I would be a social worker.
Q: Who or what inspires you?
A: History and human resiliency. Nature. My parents. Mr. Rodgers.
Q: What has been your most memorable moment at camp?
A: One boy in tears and another putting his arm around him and saying, “It’s OK to cry, man. We’re all here for you.” Beautiful.
Q: What do you hope to be remembered for some day?
A: Leaving the world a little better.
