[caption id="attachment_5403" align="alignright" width="500"] Foster and foster-to-adopt families spent their evenings at Camp Buckner relaxing, playing, enjoying snow cones and watching a ‘dive-in’ movie at the camp pool.[/caption]

Buckner foster and foster-to-adopt families from across Texas came together July 13-16 and 19-22 at Camp Buckner to relax and kick back at the annual foster care retreat.

Over the two weekends, 60 foster families with about 180 children came to camp to swim, make crafts, go fishing, practice archery and much more. Foster parents and children are able to attend this retreat at no cost each summer thanks to grants and individual donors. This year, the Dallas Stars Foundation provided a $5,000 grant to Buckner Children and Family Services, which paid for 18 children to attend camp. The Preston Hollow Women’s Club also made a gift that provided funding for 40 campers. “It’s relaxing,” said Diann Dennis, a Buckner foster parent from Beaumont. “It gives the kids a chance to scream and holler, to play, cut loose and have a fun time without having a lot of stipulations on them."

[caption id="attachment_5404" align="alignright" width="200"] Kids at Camp Buckner enjoyed fishing at the pond during their free time.[/caption]

"I come back every year because it gives me a chance to relax and unwind, and get pampered a little bit because I don’t have to cook anything for a few days," she said. "It’s just a chance to get away from it all.”

Buckner has hosted this retreat for its foster families for more than 20 years, according to Jeff Edmonds, administrator for Camp Buckner.

“It’s such a great time for all the adults to come together, interact, share ideas and talk about the common things they’re all going through,” Edmonds said. “And for the kids, there’s so much to do. Camp is an incredible gift for these children. It’s an experience they’ll cherish for the rest of their lives.”