Founded in 2017, The Benji Project shares mindfulness and self-compassion practices with youth and families throughout Jefferson County. Our focus is on teaching proactive mental health tools that are accessible to all. Through classes, workshops, and camps, we have helped more than 1600 adolescents and teens develop lifelong skills for stress management and emotional resilience. We base our programs on the Mindful Self-Compassion for Teens curriculum.

As many of you know, May is Mental Health Awareness Month. During Rhody Fest 2023, we offered a Sensory Fair at the Community Center uptown, immediately following the Pet Parade. More than 100 people of all ages explored how the five senses can help ground us and give us the means to calm our nervous systems.

For May 2024, we are excited to announce MAAY: Mental Health Arts Action for Young People. A group of young people are imagining and building a large-scale art project in honor of Youth Mental Health Action Day, to be revealed at the Rhody Grand Parade. Artists and facilitators from The Benji Project, The Nest, and PT Artscape support young people ages 12-20 to create a visual representation of the importance of youth mental health. A series of drop-in art creation workshops are being held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds Old Commercial Building.

Invite any young people you know to come create some magic with us—join one session or more! Free transportation is available from The Nest, leaving 10 minutes before the start of each session.

• Wed, May 8, 2:00-3:30 pm

• Sat, May 11, 12:00-4:00 pm

• Tues, May 14, 3:30-5:30 pm

• Wed, May 15, 2:00-3:30 pm

• Sat, May 18, walk in the Rhody Parade

As summer approaches, we are also looking forward to our summer camps. We offer two camps each summer, where participants discover mindful self-compassion through art, games, nature exploration, and reflection in a supportive community.

Our middle school camp is MINDFULNESS IN MOTION, which runs July 8-12, 10am-4 pm each day, at Fort Townsend State Park. Our second camp this year is our 3rd annual PRIDE CAMP, July 22-26, also 10am-4pm each day. The location will be in the PT/Chimacum area (details given out upon registration). This is the only LGBTQ+ camp on the Peninsula. It is open to LGBTQ+ youth, ages 12-16.

For both camps, full scholarships are available, and no one is turned away for lack of funds. Free transportation is provided for south county residents. Please visit our website for more information and to register: https://www.thebenjiproject.org/camp

We have a limited number of teen assistant positions available for both camps, for youth ages 16-19. Please email info@thebenjiproject.org if you or someone you know is interested in applying!

If you would like more information about what we do please visit our website at:
https://www.thebenjiproject.org/ and please follow us on Instagram @thebenjiproject