Camp Cadi

Imagine a place where survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) can reclaim the joy of childhood. Imagine a place where they can find confidence through the power of choice, healing through the power of art and hope through the power of community. Imagine CAMP CADI. See Camp Cadi Slideshow from our 2008 trip

Created by Safe Girls Strong Girls founder Amy Barth, CAMP CADI (Irish for “simple happiness”) is the first of its kind, offering CSA survivors ages 10-18 a unique opportunity to enjoy the fun-filled, memorable moments that only a true camp experience can provide. For one week, in the playful, exciting and safe environment of Camp Twin Lakes, girls get to be girls again!

Traditional camp activities - swimming, canoeing, mountain biking, fishing, campfires, sleeping under the stars - join a creative mix of art therapy and experiential learning programs for a rollicking retreat. Campers will gain confidence-boosting skills during interactive experiential learning workshops, while rediscovering their own voice through music, drama, storytelling, journaling and other arts related activities.

Throughout the week, girls will see that they’re not alone, the abuse wasn’t their fault and that community can be a great healer as they build trusting relationships with their peers and counselors. Full camperships are available to girls who have been recommended for the program. Each child is first screened by a community or private psychologist to determine suitability and then meets with a Safe Girls Strong Girls representative to make plans for attending.

Camp CADI Values

1.We celebrate the girls and young women who attend Camp CADI
2. We expect them to be their personal best
3.We value that they are each unique individuals with different strengths and weaknesses
4.We recognize that they are each at different stages or their healing process
5. We assure them it was Not Their Fault
6.We assure them that childhood sexual abuse does not define who they are and refer to them as girls who have been sexually abused rather then sexually abused girls
7.We provide a safe place for them to tell their stories and explore their feelings
8.We provide a connection with other young survivors/thrivers
9. We lift the shame and the guilt
10. We allow them to be children
11. We help them identify destructive coping mechanisms and teach them healthy coping mechanisms
12. We model appropriate affection
13.We model healthy habits
14.We provide consistency and stability
15.We teach them they always have the right to say "No" if something makes them feel uncomfortable
16. We provide community
17. We give them choices
18. We respect their choices
19. We listen and we are supportive
20. We are committed to providing the most innovative, creative and experiential therapies available to assist them in their healing

See Camp Cadi Slideshow from our 2008 trip

Break The Silence Awareness Month

Safe Girls Strong Girls, Inc. held the first annual BREAK THE SILENCE Awareness Month in April of 2007. We created this Atlanta-based initiative created to bring awareness to the prevalence, societal impact and healing resources available to survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). A number of people joined us for creative arts workshops, a patio party at Nancy G’s, family fun at downtown Smyrna’s chalkfest, a visit to Camp Twin Lakes and more! All events were free with a suggestion donation of $10. Proceeds went to SGSG’s CAMP CADI, the nation’s only camp for CSA survivors.

BREAK THE SILENCE WORLD QUILT PROJECT TM pending

Help Safe Girls Strong Girls Take the Quilt to Washington!

Safe Girls Strong Girls, Inc. wants to mend hearts – one stitch at a time. The BREAK THE SILENCE World Quilt Project, conceived by Safe Girls Strong Girls founder Amy Barth, gives survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA), as well as family and friends, a creative opportunity to raise their voices against a hushed epidemic.

It’s time to stop whispering about CSA. It’s time to cast off shame and guilt and to restore the voices of the estimated 40-60 million CSA survivors in the United States alone. We plan to do this by taking the BREAK THE SILENCE World Quilt to Washington, D.C. in support of the International Race to Stop the Silence during April, National Child Abuse Awareness Month.

HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?
Get creative and contribute a square!

- Use a non-stretch fabric such as cotton, duck or poplin.
- Panel should be 2 feet by 2 feet.
- Backing is recommended.
- Appliqué, photo transfers, collage, standard quilting or any other creative quilting technique is accepted. Raised embellishments are not recommended.
- Use durable materials as the Quilt is an ongoing project and will travel for years to come
- Please include your name or initials and your state on your panel. If you would like to include your story or any other information, it will be compiled in a journal that will accompany the Quilt.

Panels must be received by April 1, 2008 to be included in this year’s display. Panels will be accepted after the deadline as the Quilt will be an ongoing project, but we are trying to get as many panels as possible for the April 13th race.

TOGETHER WE CAN DO THIS! Mail panels to: Amy Barth, c/o Safe Girls Strong Girls, 2870 Peachtree Road, Suite 144, Atlanta, GA 30305.