Creating opportunities for children to grow and thrive
Robyn Nelson helps children with OCD gain confidence during Fear Facers Camp
Robyn Nelson
Sept. 2, 2026 — At the University of Florida’s Fear Facers Camp, children are encouraged to do what initially feels like the impossible — face what frightens them most. Each summer, groups of those with obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and specific phobias take part in a summer camp that uses evidence-based therapies to help campers overcome their fears.
It sounds scary, but they have Robyn Nelson to help guide them through their week at camp.
Nelson, a clinical research manager with the UF College of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, has been involved with the camp since its inception in 2017. Hired as a research coordinator for the Program in Genetics and Epidemiology of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms lab, directed by department chair Carol Mathews, M.D., Nelson was responsible for recruiting and consenting participants, collecting data and building databases.
She happened to be present during one of those “wouldn’t it be nice if” conversations about a place for kids with OCD to have fun and work through some of their fears and phobias with peer support.
“I remember taking a walk with Dr. Mathews, and I said, ‘I want to do this,’” Nelson recalled. “And she said, ‘OK, let’s do it.’”
Nelson then began to work with members of the department to make the idea a reality. She was in a unique position to help because not only did she work in OCD research; she also lived with OCD herself.
Robyn Nelson, second row right, and counselors at the inaugural Fear Facers Camp in 2017.
Fear Facers Camp uses exposure therapy to help people gradually face the things they fear in a safe, controlled environment. For a camper with a fear of snakes, this might start by looking at a picture of a snake then gradually work their way up to being in the same room as one, and moving closer to the snake over time. Through the therapy, participants learn to experience fear without letting it control them and that the more they challenge themselves, the smaller the fear gets.
Nelson uses her experience with OCD to not only help the counselors overseeing the exposures but also to relate to and encourage the kids during their sessions.
A huge part of Nelson’s role in organizing the event happens behind the scenes throughout the year. Before the kids ever arrive at camp, Nelson works through compliance requirements and coordinating with insurance to make sure the clinical sessions are covered and billed correctly. She recruits and trains volunteers and counselors and coordinates with the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo and UF Department of Entomology to bring animals and insects that will help kids work through phobias with exposure therapy.
Nelson is also involved in creating materials that allow campers to safely work through their fears. Some campers with a fear of vomit get to experience Nelson’s special recipe that she’s perfected over the years, which includes ingredients like applesauce, oatmeal and mashed potato flakes.
Nelson and Fear Facers camp counselors are slimed during the 2026 summer camp.
“You have to think about how to make these things look so realistic by just combining some products that are safe for the kids to interact with, but also elicit that fear, and we can work them through that fear in the exposure therapy,” she said.
Nelson’s favorite part of camp isn’t the logistics, planning or the therapy and exposures themselves — it’s watching the kids change over the course of the week. She sees them become more confident, communicate their needs, accomplish things they previously couldn’t do and most importantly, realize they aren’t alone.
“Letting the kids feel seen and heard and understood are the best parts,” she said.
The way Nelson approaches Fear Facers Camp is the way she approaches everything: She sees what needs to be done, figures out how to make it happen and helps turn an idea into something real. She brings this approach into her clinical research manager role, where she helps research faculty plan for studies, submit them to the Institutional Review Board and organize and train lab staff and volunteers. She recently coordinated the move of two research labs and the psychiatry hospital consult team.
“I love the fact that every day is different,” Nelson said. “And it’s really rewarding to be able to help people.”
