Mission:

Camp Butterfly is a nonprofit organization based in Chicago dedicated to the holistic development of girls of African descent. By providing girls a safe space to explore, embrace and understand their unique identity and purpose. We aim to foster a dedication to emotional healing and personal development by connecting participants to their life’s purpose, their environment and cultural identity.

History:

Recognizing the challenges that girls of African descent face with issues of cultural displacement and positive cultural identification, in 2002 native Chicagoan, Niambi Jaha-Echols penned a self-help book entitled: “Project Butterfly: Supporting Young Women and Girls of African Descent through the Transitions of Life”. Receiving such positive response from young girls and women across the country, in 2004 she was inspired to create Camp Butterfly, a summer resident camp experience designed to transform and empower young girls of African descent.

Since its inception, Camp Butterfly’s resident camps have served over 700 girls from across the country and continues to positively impact the lives of new participants and its alumni.

In 2009, Camp Butterfly shifted from being solely a summer resident camp, to a national 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Camp Butterfly has also expanded to year-round programming while maintaining its focus on the holistic development of the total girl. Through The Green Butterfly Project, The Chrysalis Project and The Roots Project, Camp Butterfly is continuing its mission of “transforming the world, one girl at a time.”