Courageous Campers

Courageous Campers, a therapeutic summer camp, is presented in partnership by OCD Louisiana and Rise Center for OCD and Anxiety. Our one-week camp is designed exclusively for children navigating anxiety and OCD challenges. Our unique program seamlessly blends summer camp fun with evidence-based interventions, allowing campers to conquer fears and break free from the cycle of anxiety. Watch as your child not only embraces new friendships with peers who understand and share similar experiences but also gains valuable tools to conquer anxiety and OCD. This summer, empower their journey by becoming Courageous Campers.

Who:

Children with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and/or an anxiety disorder (social anxiety, specific phobia, illness anxiety, or separation anxiety) between the ages of 7 and 13 years.

*Some mental health concerns may not be appropriate for this program. Participants are required to complete a 1-hour assessment prior to participation. There is not an additional fee for the assessment.

What:

A one-week day camp that includes daily activities developed to help children approach challenging tasks while applying new skills. Caregivers will receive daily communication about their camper’s progress and tips for applying skills at home.

When:

June 23rd to June 27th, 2025
The camp day will occur from 12:30 pm until 4:30 pm.
Before care from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm.
After care from 4:30 pm until 6 pm.

Where:

Rise Center for OCD & Anxiety
3500 Canal Street
New Orleans, Louisiana

Cost:

$50 non-refundable registration fee
$300 for the week of camp
$20/day for before/after-care

How:

Interested in learning more about whether Courageous Campers is right for your child?
Click the button below to speak with Dr. Megan Lilly at a time that is convenient for you. When registering, please enter the child’s name and date of birth, as well as the caregiver’s email address and phone number.

Our camp is designed with evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) principles, all wrapped in the excitement of a hero’s journey. From the moment the day begins to the final chant at the end, our campers are the heroes of their own epic quest. Want to know what an adventure-packed day looks like? Let’s dive in!

Every epic quest begins with a rallying cry! Our campers start the day with a high-energy Courage Chant, where they gather as heroes united on a bold adventure. It’s not just about shouting words — it’s about stepping into the mindset of a brave explorer. As they chant, campers set intentions and remind themselves that they have the strength to face whatever the day brings. With spirits lifted and courage blazing, they’re ready to take on the day. The first adventures take campers through a series of hero-themed quests designed to gently guide them toward anxiety-provoking experiences. Along the way, they encounter challenges that mimic real-world sensations and practice staying present and choosing courageous action in the face of fear. Watch below to hear their mighty voices in action — and catch a glimpse of the thrilling challenges that lie ahead!

After conquering their first quests of the day, our heroes gather for a well-deserved snack break. But this isn’t just any snack time — it’s another opportunity for a hands-on adventure! Campers create their own edible mud, Rice Krispie forests, graham cracker castles, along with some added messy and delicious surprises. It’s a playful way to explore textures and sensations while practicing the strategies they learn throughout camp.

The rest of the afternoon is packed with high-energy activities that weave ACT and CBT skills into every challenge. From sensory scavenger hunts, where campers uncover clues while building willingness to experience uncertainty and sensory input, to cognitive defusion relay races, where heroes see firsthand how making space for thoughts – rather than fighting them – can help those thoughts feel less overwhelming, the camp day is filled with fun.

Throughout camp activities, our team of clinicians subtly integrates each camper’s individualized exposure goals, crafted from the information provided during intake interviews. Whether it’s bugs, the dark, storms, social situations, sticky stuff, or embracing unpredictability, every challenge becomes a step toward building bravery and flexibility.

Why Courageous Campers?

We know that bravery isn’t about being fearless — it’s about feeling the fear and doing it anyway. Courageous Campers is more than just a summer camp; it’s a journey of growth where kids learn to rise above their worries and build lasting confidence. Every activity, every laugh, and every high-five is part of a bigger mission: helping kids see that they are the heroes of their own story.

Ready to join the adventure? Let’s rise together!

Click the button below to speak with Dr. Megan Lilly at a time that is convenient for you. When registering, please enter the child’s name and date of birth, as well as the caregiver’s email address and phone number.

1. What is Camp?
   • A week-long summer camp program aimed at developing skills to manage factors contributing to OCD and anxiety disorders. The program focuses on reducing avoidance behaviors, creating opportunities to confront fears, enhancing resilience, and offering valuable psychoeducation to campers and their families. The program utilizes cognitive behavior therapy with exposure therapy.
2. Who is Camp for?
   • Children ages 7 to 13 years (based on the child’s age on the first day of camp), determined to have a primary diagnosis of OCD, social anxiety, specific phobia, illness anxiety, or separation anxiety.
3. When is Camp?
   • June 23 – June 27, 2025 (5 days; 4 hours each day)
   • The camp day will occur from 12:30 pm until 4:30 pm. For a fee of $20/day campers will have access to before care from 11:30 am until 12:30 pm and/or after care from 4:30 pm until 6 pm.
4. Where is Camp?
   • Camp will be located at 3500 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119. This secure building is the home of Rise Center for OCD and Anxiety (Rise) with a large open space for group activities, as well as smaller offices for small groups and/or individual support.
5. How do I apply and register?
   • Complete a free phone consultation with Dr. Megan Lilly
     • Speak with Dr. Megan Lilly at a time that is convenient for you. When registering, please enter the child’s name and date of birth, as well as the caregiver’s email address and phone number.
     • Dr. Lilly will determine if camp would be a good fit for your family and answer your questions.
     • At that time, pay the $50 registration fee to reserve a spot for your child.
6. What happens after my child is registered?
   • Schedule the required intake evaluation with one of our approved therapists. This will help staff cater activities to the needs of each camper. The appointment will take approximately 1-hour and can be completed virtually or in person.
   • If the intake assessment determines the child is not a good fit for camp the registration fee will be refunded. This is the only circumstance in which the registration fee will be refunded.
   • Pay the remaining camp balance ($300) by June 1.
7. What is the cost of camp?
   • The total cost of camp is $350
8. Can I use my insurance to pay for camp?
   • Insurance is not accepted for Courageous Campers.
9. Who is running this thing?
   • Courageous Campers is hosted by OCD Louisiana, an official affiliate of the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), and Rise Center for OCD and Anxiety, an independent private practice in New Orleans, Louisiana.
   • Rise is a private group practice in New Orleans, Louisiana. The mission of Rise is to help the people of Louisiana live their most meaningful lives by providing effective, comprehensive, and compassionate treatment for OCD and anxiety-related disorders, and offering exceptional training and support for clinicians.
   • The values and goals of OCD Louisiana are to provide education, resources, and support to the local community to increase access to effective treatment and promote awareness about OCD and related disorders.
   • A licensed psychologist (Melissa Dufrene, PsyD, ABPP or Kristin E Fitch, PhD) will be present at all times to ensure appropriate treatment and will be assisted by a pre-licensed psychologist and volunteers. All volunteers will complete background checks and complete training in safety and the treatment program.
10. This sounds like an amazing opportunity for Louisiana kids! How can I contribute?
    • We really appreciate your support! Please spread the word about camp and consider making a tax-deductible donation to OCD Louisiana for Courageous Campers. Every contribution, regardless of its size, will help us provide an empowering experience for these extraordinary campers. If your company is interested in supporting Courageous Campers, please send us an email at info@ocdlouisiana.org.
11. How did Courageous Campers get its start?
    • OCD Louisiana and Rise Center for OCD and Anxiety launched Courageous Campers in July 2024 as part of the Plant a Summer Camp Program. It was made possible by the generous grant-funding of JACK Mental Health Advocacy (MHA) and sponsorship by Dufrene Surveying and Engineering and Children’s Hospital New Orleans. The program was developed with consultation of JACK MHA clinical staff and the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). We can’t thank these organizations enough for their invaluable assistance in getting Courageous Campers off the ground. They were pivotal to the success of Courageous Campers 2024 and instrumental in helping us pave the way for future years!

Courageous Campers, a therapeutic summer camp, is presented in partnership by OCD Louisiana and Rise Center for OCD and Anxiety. It is made possible through sponsorship by local businesses, including Dufrene Surveying and Engineering, and donors like you. Thanks to generous grants and donor support, tuition was just $350 last year—a fraction of the thousands similar camps charge nationwide. With continued support, the current tuition will remain at the affordable price of $350, but we dream that with enough support we could offer it for free.

Every donation, large and small, helps our kids bravely face anxiety and OCD.

Donate today!

If your company is interested in funding Courageous Campers, please email us info@ocdlouisiana.org to learn more about sponsorship levels and benefits. With a donation of $3,000, you can provide one camper with a life-changing opportunity to attend our anxiety recovery camp. Your generosity will cover expert-led therapy, a supportive community experience, and tools to help them reclaim their life from anxiety.

To learn more about how Courageous Campers can help your child, click the button below to speak with Dr. Megan Lilly at a time that is convenient for you. When registering, please enter the child’s name and date of birth, as well as the caregiver’s email address and phone number.