National Mental Health Service Provider

WARRIOR KIDS CAMP AND VIRTUAL PROGRAM

An evidence-informed program that builds resilient children and youth impacted by a parental Operational Stress Injury (OSI)

WARRIOR KIDS CAMP AND VIRTUAL PROGRAM

An evidence-informed program that builds resilient children and youth impacted by a parental Operational Stress Injury (OSI)

Upcoming Programs

CAMP - Green Bay Camp Kelowna, BC – May 25 & 26, 2024

Green Bay camp is located right in the heart of Kelowna, BC and perfectly situated on Lake Okanagan Address1449 Green Bay Rd, West Kelowna, BC V4T 2B9. Please visit greenbay.bc.ca for details on their facilities.

CAMP - Teen Ranch, Orangeville, ON – June 8 & 9, 2024

The Teen Ranch is a beautiful camp in Ontario approximately 45 minutes from Toronto. Address: 20682 Hurontario St, Caledon, ON L7K 1X1. Visit teenranch.com to get a better look at the amazing property and state of the art facilities.

CAMP - Camp Van-Es, Edmonton, AB, July 29 & 30, 2024

The Alberta Warrior Kids camp is located near Edmonton, AB and hosted at the beautiful Van Es Camp and Conference Center, 51244 Range Rd 220, Sherwood Park, AB T8E 1G9. Please visit their website vanes.ca to get acquainted with the fantastic camp facilities and location.  

VIRTUAL PROGRAM - Winter 2024

REGISTRATIONS ARE CLOSED FOR THE WINTER VIRTUAL PROGRAM

VIRTUAL PROGRAM - Spring 2024

VIRTUAL PROGRAM DATES AND TIMES:

Western Canada
– Starts Monday April 1st, 2024
– Kids 8-10 yrs: 5-6pm MST
– Teens 11-16yrs: 6-7pm MST

Eastern and Atlantic Canada
– Starts Tuesday April 2nd, 2024
– Kids 8-10 yrs 5-6pm EST
– Teens 11-16 yrs 6-7 pm EST

The Warrior Kids Program 

This one-of-a-kind program combines the essential knowledge around the impact operational stress injuries can have on children and youth in families with a Veteran or First Responder parent. The Warrior Kids Camp and Virtual programs consist of two formats – a 6 week psycho-educational virtual group and a two-day in person overnight camp delivered at various locations in Canada.

The programs have been developed to support children aged 8-16.

WHY WERE THE PROGRAMS CREATED?

With emergent knowledge regarding the impact of OSIs particularly concerning Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) within military members and their families, researchers have identified children and youth of first responder-connected families (i.e. fire, police, paramedic, corrections, call center dispatchers) at risk for developing mental health difficulties as a result of their parents’ occupational stressors.

Research on military and veteran children with parents impacted by an OSI or diagnosed mental health condition shows poor parental mental health and family stressors can negatively affect a child’s mental health and wellbeing. Now more than ever, first responder families require the social work profession to intervene from a family systems framework that understands the bi-directional impact of trauma leading to negative consequences of parental OSIs on their children. 

The first responder population and their families deserve unique evidence-informed prevention and intervention programs that use a holistic view such as, family stress theory to understand the unique issues connected to adverse consequences of OSIs on individual first responders and the mental health and wellbeing of their children.

(Cramm et al., 2016, Carelton, Afifi, Taillieu, et al., 2019)

Understanding the Effects of Parental Psychological Injuries on Children

“I could feel genuine sadness in her (my daughter)…I’ve had a bigger impact on her than I thought I had” (Sherman et al., 2016, p. 406).

Scholars have highlighted connections of secondary traumatic stress and negative emotional and behavioral reactions in children when a parental mental health disorder exists in the family (Cramm et al., 2016; Kelly & Paul, 2018; Sherman et al., 2016)

Over 2 million American children experienced a parent’s deployment to Afghanistan and Iraq. Literature reveals the psychological effects of the service members’ operational stressors cascades through the family system to affect children and their mental health.

(Synder et al., 2016; Foran et al., 2017,Foran, Eckford, Sinclair & Wright, 2017).).

WHO CAN ATTEND WARRIOR KIDS

Children aged 8-16 whose parent is a Canadian Armed Forces member, Veteran or First Responder (firefighter, paramedic, emergency dispatcher, correctional services worker, municipal police officer, or member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police) can participate. 

How does Warrior Kids Programs Make a Difference?

We know that change in one family member, such as a child, affects every other family member. Decades of research in areas of family functioning and traumatic stress suggest experiences of each family member can flow throughout the family system and family-centered approaches to interventions offer positive opportunities to promote mental well-being (Cramm et al., 2016; Sullivan, 2015; Wadsworth et al., 2012).

 

 “I really loved that my children were with other children that are/have experienced a parent with OSI.

  The games and beach/lake time was what they loved. They got the most impact from the workbook time and talking about OSI’s listening to other kids stories. 

The message that stuck with them was “this not your fault” 

I liked being able to discuss coping methods/strategies with others, and being able to share my experiences with others

What does warrior kids teach?

1. Knowing They Are Not Alone

Kids increase a sense of belonging with peers who are from first-responder and military/veteran families with a parental OSI. When children and youth share feelings, thoughts and perceptions around common adversities and problems such as having a parent with an OSI not be able to participate at school or sports events children and families are provided with an opportunity to normalize their distress which can lead to reducing blame on to the parent

2. Building Coping Tools Using The Power of Play

Increasing children’s knowledge around mental health and OSIs and participating in activities related to stress and coping strategies (painting to music, clay, yoga, animal and nature and many more!) strengthens the child and family’s outlook that positive well-being can be attained and within their power.

3. Increase Knowledge Around Operational Stress Injuries

A primary goal of the Warrior Kids programs is to build clear communication around parental OSIs. This topic is explored with participants using the language of visible (i.e. broken leg) and invisible injuries (i.e. psychological hurts).

The Warrior Kids Programs support open emotional expression and clear communication around ambiguous situations connected to living with a parent impacted by an psychological injury to help families thrive. Warrior Kids programs provide opportunities for children and youth to increase knowledge on where our emotions come from and ways can we step into a coping strategy to help with mediating difficult feelings including anxiety, stress and worry.

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