As part of Bloom Kentucky, “sprout outs” are our way of giving a meaningful shout to programs fostering hope and resilience in our communities. We’re proud to spotlight the incredible work being done at WestCare Kentucky (WCKY) Camp Mariposa. 

WCKY Camp Mariposa is an addiction prevention and mentoring program for children ages 9-12 who have been affected by the substance use of a parent or close family member. Part of a national network of camps supported by Eluna, WCKY Camp Mariposa has a location in Irvine – an Eastern Kentucky community that has been deeply impacted by the opioid epidemic. 

The mission of Camp Mariposa is clear and powerful: to break the generational cycle of addiction. 

Youth attend day and weekend camps throughout the year, which are offered at no cost to their families. Camps are led by mental health professionals and trained adult mentors who create a safe and supportive environment. Programming combines fun, traditional camp activities with education and therapeutic support to cultivate resilience and promote healing.

Educational sessions empower campers to: 

  • Identify and express their feelings and emotions
  • Make healthy choices
  • Develop positive coping skills
  • Build confidence and self-worth

Campers also learn about substance use disorder (SUD) to help them understand that addiction is a disease and that their loved one’s struggles are not their fault. One of the camp’s core messages is captured in the 7 C’s: “I didn’t cause it. I can’t cure it. I can’t control it. But I can care for myself by communicating my feelings, making healthy choices, and celebrating myself.”

Support sessions and creative activities like writing a letter to addiction help campers process feelings of pain, anger, and loss.

Equally powerful is the sense of connection that WCKY Camp Mariposa fosters. Children connect with peers who have faced similar hardships at home and build trusting relationships with caring mentors. Teachers, first responders, business leaders, and even former campers are among the community members that serve as mentors. 

Recognizing that many campers’ childhoods have been interrupted by the pain and trauma of familial SUD, Camp Mariposa allows children to have fun and enjoy being a kid in a safe, supportive environment.  

While day and weekend camps are just for kids, WCKY Camp Mariposa also organizes regular social outings to bring together youth, their families, and mentors and foster another critical protective factor: community. 

Camp Director Tammy Rison knows firsthand the power of this program. She started as a volunteer several years ago and never looked back. She explains, “I see all the hurt and despair, but it helps to make a difference in someone’s life.” 


And the results speak volumes. A three-year national study of Camp Mariposa participants found that: 

  • 92% of participating youth reported that they hadn’t engaged in substance use 
  • 93% of participating youth have not been involved in the juvenile justice system

At Bloom Kentucky, we believe that every positive experience we give a child is an investment in their lifelong emotional and mental well-being. We are deeply inspired by WCKY Camp Mariposa’s work and are proud to give them this well deserved sprout-out.