Ben’s Lighthouse hosted two sessions of its Isle of Skoo Summer Camp last month at Christ the King Lutheran Church.

The Isle of Skoo program is an opportunity for children, ages 4 to 8, to be mentored by high-school aged students for a week. Together, they build social/emotional connections throughout the camp’s interactive lessons, original music, and professional puppetry.

On July 28, Ben’s Lighthouse Creative Director Francine Wheeler, and mother of the late Ben Wheeler whom the foundation honors, told The Newtown Bee they had a total of 90 kids participate with many repeat mentors.

“I don’t know of any other camp with this type of mentor/mentee relationship. People come back again and again to make this program what it is,” she said.

This year’s summer camp was the first time Wheeler stepped back from her role in the puppet performances and put it into the hands of her trained cast and crew.

“When I saw the rehearsal I was emotional, because what I had pictured had come to life. It’s such a gift to me,” she said.

Wheeler noted that the cast and crew of this year’s Isle of Skoo had a variety of “local talent” that included up-and-coming professionals — one of which is heading off to Los Angeles to be an artist/actress — as well as a high school teacher that brings a wealth of knowledge with her.

“They have been amazing … It has been a real team effort this year,” Wheeler said.

In addition to the performances, the students also enjoyed many activities.

Administrative Director Shannon D’Amico shared that mentees and their mentors bonded together while creating tie-dye shirts, doing hand painting/stamping, decorating planters to pot plants, and doing a group water balloon toss on July 28.

While the camp may have come to a close this season, Ben’s Lighthouse looks forward to future Isle of Skoo programs where they can make a positive impact in the lives of youth.

Wheeler said, “I hope we will have more opportunities for Newtown and beyond for people to know our camp exists. I am so proud of it and our team.”

To learn more about Ben’s Lighthouse, visit benslighthouse.org.

Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.