Hope Connection 2.0: A TBRI® Family Camp

A Weekend Therapeutic Camp for Adoptive Families

Hope Connection 2.0 is a therapeutic camp designed for adopted children and their adoptive parents and siblings. The camp grew out of the original summer program created by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross in the late 1990s — the birthplace of Trust‑Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®).

Learn more about TBRI®

Timing and Schedule

Across two immersive weekends, your family will learn how to:

  • Strengthen connection with one another
  • Understand and meet each other’s needs
  • Build skills for regulation within relationships

Each camp includes two full weekends, and families must attend both:

  • Fridays: early evening
  • Saturdays: full day
  • Sundays: morning through early afternoon

Next Camp Dates:  

Please check back for upcoming dates and application deadlines.

youth with dog
practitioner with children
practitioner with child
youth playing
practitioner team
youth playing
camp youth
practitioner with child

What’s Required from Parents/Caregivers

Families must:

  • Commit to attending both camp weekends (Friday evening through Sunday afternoon)
  • Complete 12–15 hours of preparation and training before camp, which includes: 
    • Criminal background check
    • Sexual abuse awareness training
    • Interpersonal interview
    • Viewing required training videos followed by brief reflection questions

What It’s Like

Over two weekends, your family will visit the TCU campus and be immersed in a fully TBRI®‑informed caregiving environment.

  • Parents/caregivers receive training and guided support from two highly skilled TBRI® Mentors
  • Each family is paired with a TBRI® Family Coach who observes interactions, answers questions, and helps problem‑solve
  • Each child is paired with a TCU student trained in TBRI, who serves as their camp buddy and primary staff member
  • Meals and snacks are provided during camp hours
  • Families may apply for a travel grant to assist with additional expenses (e.g., flights, mileage, lodging)

Eligibility

To participate, families must meet the following criteria:

  • Have at least one adopted child aged 5–12
  • All children must have been legal, permanent members of the family for at least one year at the time of application
  • All family members living at home must be able and willing to attend both weekends
  • All family members must be willing to be photographed and to participate in research
  • All caregivers must complete a criminal background check
  • All caregivers must complete online pre‑training
  • Families should be working with, or have access to, a TBRI® Practitioner for ongoing support after camp

Apply

There are currently no Hope Connection 2.0 sessions scheduled.