6-5-06
School is Out…Now What?

by Megan Cardinal
Regional Coordinator, NW

I remember the last day of the school year was always such an exhilarating day.  All the students sharing stories about what they plan to do over the summer.  Some children going on fun vacations, others going away to day or overnight camps of all kinds; basketball, nature, band, and church camps.

As a young child I was lucky enough that my parents could afford to send me to day camp and as I got older to overnight basketball and field hockey camp every summer.  These years I spent at camp taught me a lot such as making friends and learning new things every day like how to tell the difference between a frog and a toad or how to cross over and go to the hoop in basketball.  This experience helped me build self confidence and improve my social skills being integrated with other children from all over the state with different backgrounds than myself.

Unfortunately many children will never be able to experience the educational and fun times that I did.  In fact summer will not be very happy at all for a lot of youngsters in Connecticut this year.  When school ends they will have no place to go.  Their care givers cannot afford camp or other educational activities so they will most likely end up watching TV or hanging out on the streets near their home.  Summer is a stressor on many working caregivers because it is a necessity to find a safe place where children can be cared for while they are at work all summer long and in many cases this is unaffordable.   Some summer camps are as high as $550 a week and overnight camps as high as $1400. 

Many of the congregations matched with the Adopt a Social Worker Program have already started to give scholarships and help young individuals in need go to camp for the summer.  It is more than just a safe place for them to be, but it is a new beginning for some of them to start over with out any expectation other than to be a kid.

Please help these youngsters have to same opportunities that I did and many of you did when you were growing up.  Consider donating to the Covenant to Care for Children’s Campership Fund or talking to your local congregation about starting a scholarship for local children in financial need this summer.

Here are some other projects you can do:

Camp Equipment: Some children receive camperships but do not have the necessary items for an enjoyable experience.  Pack a small overnight bag with a flashlight, bug spray, sun protection, a swimsuit, beach towel or other items.

Summer Play/Family Fun Packs:  Fills these packs with fun outdoor activities that the children can play with friends or family…Sidewalk chalk, bubbles, soccer ball, jump rope, kite, and other fun items.

Help Make a Child Smile this Summer.  For more information contact Covenant to Care for Children.