Via The Salvation Army:
The Salvation Army will send more than 100 local children ages 5 through 16 to summer day camps and overnight camps starting in June. Camp is important for every child, and it is especially important for children in our community who are experiencing homelessness or poverty. We are able to to send our children to camp because of the generous support of the community.
“As you can imagine, going to camp is big deal to local kids who are living in shelters or in poverty,” says Stacy Schwarz, Assistant Social Services Director. “It’s one gift The Austin Salvation Army can offer them while their parents are busy each day working, studying or training to improve their employment.”
Summer camp provides stability and structure in the midst of chaotic times for these children. Whether it’s overnight camp for children living in poverty, or day camps for children living in our emergency shelters, camp gives kids a chance to simply be a kid. Activities include team building, swimming and swimming lessons, exploring the great outdoors, playing sports and games, studying nature and wildlife, talent shows, learning about God, and lots more!
For families living in our emergency shelters, camp not only provides a wonderful experience for the children as noted above, but it also enables their families (often a single mom) to continue working or going to school, as they work toward their own self-sufficiency plan. Knowing their children are having a fun and educational experience gives them peace of mind as they work to get the family back on their feet again. The gift of camp is a gift to the entire family.
You can help give these children the gift of summer camp by donating supplies (see list below), go to our Walmart Registry where you can choose something needed and have it shipped directly to us or by clicking the Donate Today button to donate now and help send a local child to camp this summer.
- Purchase items (from list below) and drop them off to us. You can do this as an individual, or you can organize a drive through your company, church or organization.
- Go to our Walmart Registry where you can choose something needed and have it shipped directly to us,
- Donate online and give local children the gift of camp.