Outcast Wellness Alliance’s Camp Mariposa Baltimore

MENTOR MD|DC reached out to Lawrence Sanders, Executive Director at Outcast Wellness Alliance as this summer the organization will host Camp Mariposa Baltimore, which is a free addiction prevention program serving youth ages 9-12 affected by the substance use disorder of a family member.

They take the kids away for a weekend adventure, 6 times per year and use traditional camp activities, enhanced with education and support exercises to teach youth a variety of problem solving and self-care strategies about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

1. Tell us a bit about Outcast Wellness Alliance – what is your mission and who do you serve?

Outcast Wellness Alliance (OWA) is a human services 501c3 organization, with a mission to provide quality programs and services around Youth Mentorship, Nutrition and Work Skills, that heal, comfort and empower Youth, to have greater life outcomes. 

2. How did the connection to Camp Mariposa come about from your perspective?

The connection to Camp Mariposa came about as OWA had utilized Mentor MD/DC’s technical assistance for our mentor program, which helped to form a great support relationship between our organizations. When Eluna, the group that created Camp Mariposa, sought a Baltimore partner to steward a new Camp Mariposa program, Mentor MD/DC recommended OWA. Through numerous conversations and an application process, OWA was awarded the opportunity to become a Camp Mariposa host site. 

3. What excites you most about hosting Camp Mariposa in Baltimore?

We are most excited about the opportunity to have a great impact in improving the lives of the youth of Baltimore City by offering fun outdoor activities and positive mentoring relationships with our trained adult mentors. 

4. Can you share a bit about what participants can expect from the camp experience?

Camp Mariposa (CM) Baltimore will serve youth ages 9-12 who have been affected by a close family member’s substance use. CM Baltimore will offer youth an opportunity to attend 6 fun and exciting overnight camp weekends held every other month throughout the year. Youth will participate in fun traditional camp activities and will learn problem solving skills and self-care strategies. These weekend camps will be led by mental health professionals with the support of a team of trained adult mentors. In the months in-between camp weekends, fun social activities are offered to youth. One of the great things about Camp Mariposa is that youth are able to connect with adult mentors who are there to help them as well as with youth who have had similar experiences. Most of all, we want to offer kids an opportunity to be kids, learn some new skills and have fun!

5. What are your goals for this program in its first year?

 The primary goal of the Camp Mariposa program is to break the intergenerational cycle of addiction by providing targeted support and mentorship to youth ages 9 through 12 who have been affected by the substance use of a family member. As part of this larger goal, Camp Mariposa strives to meet the following goals:

• Delaying onset of first use of drugs and alcohol
• Preventing or reducing involvement in the juvenile justice system
• Connecting youth with caring and supportive mentors
• Creating a positive peer support network for youth
• Providing opportunities to participate in fun positive activities
• Let kids be kids and have fun

During the first year, we plan on recruiting youth and mentors through the summer and fall. We plan to hold some fun social activities in the summer so youth and families can connect with each other and with the adult mentors who will help run the program. Right now, we plan to hold our first camps in October and December 2025. We will continue the weekend camps and fun social activities throughout 2026.