Breakout Sessions

We are excited to offer topic-based breakout sessions this year at Camp of Champions! There are 9 different sessions to choose from, detailed below. You will have the opportunity to attend two of these sessions. Each session will be an hour long session. Use the link below to register for the sessions that you would like to attend.

*Each individual coming to camp will need to register separately for breakout sessions. If you are planning to attend the same sessions as your spouse, both of you still need to register separately. Thank you!

PREPARING FOSTER KIDS TO BE HEALTHY GROWN-UPS

You are likely familiar with the extensive research into Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), but did you know there is also research on Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCES)? Join me for a quick review of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACES) and learn more about the Benevolent Childhood Experiences Scale (BCES) and discussion about how intentionally increasing the presence of BCES may act as a buffer to the negative consequences of ACES!

Led by: Rod Marshall

Dr. Rod Marshall began his service with Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes & Family Ministries (ABCH) in 1995 as a counselor. He oversaw the development and growth of Pathways Professional Counseling, helping it become the great ministry it is today. He began serving as President/CEO of ABCH on February 1, 2012.

FROM FOSTER CHILD TO FOREVER FAMILY: ADOPTING FROM FOSTER CARE

This session will provide an overview of the adoption process for foster families that are adopting a child that has been in foster care in their home. Foster parents will learn the major components of how this process should move through to finalization of adoption.

Led by: Michael Smith

Dr. Michael Smith has served with ABCH since 2006. In this role, he provides oversight and leadership to our social work programs in each of our eight state offices. Michael has been practicing social work nearly 30 years in a variety of settings. He has served as an item writer, exam reviewer, and content reviewer for social work licensure examinations for the Association of Social Work Boards since 2003. He has also served as Chair of the Alabama State Board of Social Work.

RAISING DISCIPLES: GROWING CHILDREN’S SPIRITUAL MUSCLES

As parents, we are concerned about our children’s physical, emotional, social, academic, and certainly their spiritual development. In this breakout, using God’s Word as our ultimate parenting guide, we’ll share some practical ways to grow children spiritually and point them to Jesus!

Led By: Chip Colee

Dr. Chip Colee is Chief Administrative Officer of ABCH. He and his wife Christy have two grown children and two grandchildren. Chip is passionate about encouraging parents to a countercultural model of growing kids God’s way. Using God’s Word, Chip has crafted a discipleship curriculum for parents and frequently leads on this topic in churches.

EXPECTATIONS AND HELPING CHILDREN ADJUST TO YOUR HOME

We all want foster kids to feel welcome and safe in our home. Let’s discuss best practices to implement and where our expectations should fall when parenting children from different backgrounds.

Led By: Elise Vincent

Elise has worked with Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes in the Birmingham area since 2012. She first served as a child case worker before moving into her position as Area Director for Central Alabama in 2017.

REUNIFICATION: PERSPECTIVE AND PRACTICE

Right thinking leads to right doing. Discover how the Gospel informs the Christian Foster Parents’ view on reunification and transforms relationships with birth parents through hope and healing.

Led By: Sena Sharp

Sena Sharp is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 9 years of experience working in the child welfare system. Sena is a wife and a mother of 2. Most importantly, Sena believes in the power of the Gospel in sustaining Christian Foster Parents and bringing life to children and parents experiencing family separation.

A STRONGER MARRIAGE LEADS TO STRONGER PARENTING

This presentation will focus on the biblical concepts of marriage as a foundation for strengthening parenting skills. Tenants from Gottman's Theory for Couples Counseling will be integrated with trauma-centered counseling theories. Practical interventions will be provided for parents to build a strong relationship with God, each other, and their children.

Led By: Heather Windham

Heather D. Windham has been a counselor with Pathways Professional Counseling since August 2023. She holds a PhD in counseling education, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, and Nationally Certified Counselor. She has previous experience as both a school counselor and professor in counseling education. She has been trained in EMDR Level 1, Theraplay Level 1, and Gottman Level 1.

REMEMBERING GRACE WITH BIOLOGICAL FAMILIES

Whether you have been fostering for a while or just getting started, It’s all of our calling to show grace to the “least of these”. Matthew 25:40, where Jesus says, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me". Come together with Angie and Becka as we share some ideas on showing grace and connecting with biological families.

Led By: Becka Situmeang and Angie Howard

Becka Situmeang is a Christian, wife to Teto and mom of three little girls. Becka has been a foster parent for one year and has thoroughly enjoyed adding another child into the controlled chaos that comes with three girls. She is passionate about not just supporting children through foster care, but also the families involved, as well.

Hi, I’m Angie Howard! I’ve been a Christian since I was 16, and my journey of overcoming childhood trauma led me to want to help kids in need and minister to families in tough times. My husband and I started fostering through ABCH 15 years ago with our three children. What began as a temporary commitment turned into a wonderful family of six kids, a daughter in law, and one current placement. I love how God’s plans are always better than our plans!

AFRICAN AMERICAN SKIN AND HAIR CARE

In this session, participants will learn more about how to care for African American children’s hair and skin. You will learn tips and tricks and about products that other foster parents have found very helpful in learning about how to best care for children in their care.

Led By: Felicia Cooper and Valencia Pritchett

Felicia Hollice has served at ABCH for 10 years. She divides her time between foster care and family care. In her free time, Felicia enjoys reading and watching Marvel movies with her husband, Jerry.

Hello Campers! I'm so excited to be with y'all. My name is Valencia Pritchett. I'm the proud mom of Whitley Pritchett, 18 years old and is bound for the University of Alabama in the Fall. My task today is to give knowledge that I've learned over the years about the rise and fall of black hair. This task wasn't always an easy one, but time yields good experience.

I've had the pleasure of working for ABCH since 2013, as the Family Care Specialist in Gardendale, but I've been affiliated with ABCH since 1984. I grew up on the Mobile's campus of ABCH and that's when my hair became ""dried, fried and laid to the side"". See for the whole summer I enjoyed going swimming. I loved the pool, but the pool didn't love me back. I didn't know to wash the chlorine out of my hair each time I left the pool. After the summer, the majority of my hair fell out, that's when I HAD to fall in love with my hair.

The moral of the story is...if you want beautiful hair, it begins with washing your hair.

COLLEGE 101 FOR PARENTS: HELP YOUR STUDENTS MAKE WISE CHOICES

This interactive session will give parents tools and vocabulary to talk with their children about their options after high school. Whether or not you have attended college, you will be equipped to start conversations, answer questions, and know where to find additional info.

Led By: Jim Fisk

Dr. James Fisk has spent most of his life teaching students, advising students, or being a student. His three careers include industrial experience, academic instruction, and clinical healthcare. He shares anecdotes about past students with unknowing current students to help create successful future students.