Healing Doesn’t Happen Overnight

Thornwell Connections Camp Helps Teens Begin a Healing Journey

By the time young people arrive at Thornwell’s A.R.C. (Attachment-based Residential Care) Program, their stories are heavy. Loss, trauma, and profound grief no child should experience can shape how they see themselves, others, and the world around them.

Thornwell meets them there. Through trauma-informed, attachment-based care, children and families begin the slow, meaningful work of rebuilding trust, strengthening relationships, and discovering hope. And during the summer, that healing continues in a unique and intentional way — at Connections Camp.

This therapeutic camp, held on the Thornwell campus, provides an intentional environment for youth to learn and grow in their relationship skills, mixing fun activities with learning and therapeutic experiences.

Discovering Self-Worth

For one teen, Kamori, the most impactful experience was their first activity which was meant to help youth let go of the lies they might believe about themselves. For Kamori she was constantly telling herself, “I’m not enough. I don’t matter. This is my fault.”

With the help of staff and volunteers, Kamori wrote these lies down and placed them inside balloons. At first, the balloons floated – light, almost carefree. But by the next morning, the balloons had sunk, weighed down by what was inside.

Kamori started to see for herself that the false beliefs we carry can weigh us down and recognizes them as lies is the first step to release.

You could see the change in their eyes, which was powerful. Some students gave the lies back to me to keep because they didn’t want to hang on to the lies anymore,” says Chelsea Waters, Residential Admissions Coordinator.

Releasing Anger and Frustration

For another teen, Samson, who had struggled with anger and a quick temper, it was the next activity that really made an impact. The teens wrote those same lies onto eggs. One by one, they hurled them at a target board as hard as they could – shattering shells and letting out pent-up anger, feeling the emotional release.

Samson always felt angry but never knew how to express it in a healthy way. He experienced – maybe for the first time – as he hurled eggs across the room that emotions needed somewhere to go – and he could get that release without shouting.

Letting Go of What Holds You Back

Then came the question: Who or what are you holding onto that you need to let go? Stories, people, names, memories, and pain were written on flash paper and set ablaze.

In an instant, what once weighed them down disappeared. For one teen, Liam, this was a profound moment.

He had never imagined he could let go of the pain, fear, and resentment he held on to for so many years. Liam found that he could move forward – creating new space for growth, healing, and connection.

Discovering Value

Finally, campers engaged in gem mining at LushAcres Farm at Thornwell. Each teen uncovered a small treasure – reminding them of a truth too often overlooked: you are a gem.

For Jasmine, this was not a message she grew up hearing. In fact, she had a hard time accepting her value as a truth. She really wrestled with this lesson, even calling it “silly” and “cheesy.”

But by the end of camp, the change in Jasmine – and others like her – was visible. She came carrying invisible weight. She left a little lighter, a little freer, a little more open to the idea of her value without having to change anything.

A Journey Towards Healing

Healing doesn’t happen overnight. It’s often a long and slow process – especially when early childhood trauma hasn’t been addressed. But, at Thornwell Connections Camp, healing isn’t just talked about – it’s experienced. When teens are met with compassion, support, and the belief that transformation is always possible – they can take those first small, brave steps towards healing.

Want to learn more about the ARC Program or Connections Camp? Call today to see how Thornwell can support your family and your child’s journey of healing.

*While these stories are based on true experiences, the names have been changed to respect their privacy