Camp Catlandia: An Adventure in Feelings, Friendship & Courage: Proudly Beads

About this event

Join us for a magical evening in the world of Catlandia, where children (aged 5-11) will discover that every feeling has a place and every voice deserves to be heard. Limited space available!

Inspired by Ranger is Proudly Sad, a heartwarming children's book by local author and teen mental health advocate Lydia Anne Peters, Camp Catlandia invites children to explore emotions in a fun, creative, and supportive environment. Through storytelling, hands-on crafts, mindfulness activities, and imaginative play, participants will learn healthy ways to recognize feelings, build self-confidence, and develop tools for navigating life's challenges.

Throughout the workshop, children will create four colorful beaded bracelets inspired by Shanthi Project breathing techniques and mindfulness practices. Guided by Lydia and a Shanthi Project instructor, participants will learn simple breathing exercises and coping strategies they can use at home, at school, or whenever they need a moment of calm.

Children will also receive a Catlandia Passport and embark on an interactive journey filled with stories, fireflies, friendship, creativity, and self-discovery. Along the way, they'll take the Catlandia Pledge, celebrating the importance of kindness, authenticity, emotional wellness, and asking for help when needed. Children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

Participants will leave with:

• Four mindfulness breathing bracelets

• A Catlandia Passport stamped with their journey

• Age-appropriate coping and calming techniques

• Simple breathwork tools to practice at home

• Greater confidence in expressing emotions

• A deeper understanding that all feelings are welcome

About the facilitators:

Lydia Anne Peters is an author, advocate, student, and artist. Lydia is a two-time published author, illustrator, and editor of Ranger is PROUDLY Sad and Pippin's Dreams: Drawn by Tim, Colored by You. Lydia founded Timothy's Echo: The Tim Petrow Foundation, a memorial foundation dedicated to suicide prevention and awareness through tactical, tangible efforts. Through the Tim Petrow Foundation, Lydia solely oversees PROUDLY Beads; PROUDLY Beads actively works to "string together" healthy coping mechanisms and emotional acceptance. In this initiative, every bead has a purpose, and every bracelet tells a story. Lydia's advocacy extends far beyond the Tim Petrow Foundation. Lydia also serves on Youth Infusion's Youth Leadership Advisory Board and is Shanthi Project's first Youth Advocate. Additionally, Lydia has been a Strong Minds Bright Futures Featured Youth Mental Health Advocate Panelist and has volunteered with multiple regional chapters of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Lydia is a high school senior at Commonwealth Charter Academy.

Annie Serfass began working with Shanthi Project back in 2012, the same year she began her practice of mediation and mindfulness. In 2021, she stepped into her current role as a school-based mindfulness instructor. For 25 years, Annie worked in public schools as a speech/language therapist for grades K-12. Annie has certifications from Mindful Schools, and is a Registered Yoga Teacher(RYT)-500 hour and a Registered Children’s Yoga teacher(RCYT)-95 hour, with extensive training in trauma-informed yoga, restorative yoga, and yoga for special needs children.

From Shanthi Project