Camp Lots-of-Fun

“I made a lot of new friends and one was a horse!” – 2022 Camp Lots-of-Fun camper

Imagine being a kid and standing next to a huge 1,500 lb. draft horse that wants to get to know you better—when the largest animal you’ve ever seen is a dog! This is the kind of encounter Camp Lots-of-Fun offers to children experiencing homelessness. 

Camp Lots-of-Fun is Family Promise’s annual two-week day camp for children ages 5-12 in our shelter and support programs, as well as kids experiencing housing instability that are referred to us from other organizations in Bergen County. Our summer camp is designed to allow kids to just be kids—to laugh, jump and play—because every child deserves the chance to have a wonder-filled summer, regardless of their circumstances.

Each day is a new adventure. Our campers arrive every morning eager to enjoy fun, new experiences, like visits to a barn for therapy ponies, interactive magic shows, scavenger hunts, a performance by a dance troupe, and more. Our caring, experienced staff lead daily STEM, creative arts, and reading activities designed to enrich children’s physical, emotional and social health so that they learn while they play. Teen counselors also provide plenty of attention in an atmosphere free from the shame that often accompanies being without a place to live, and campers find comfort reuniting with old friends and making new connections with those who have a similar history of trauma and loss.

We also recognize that many teens must earn an income over the summer, so for a third year we will be providing stipends to our counselors rather than just a validation of volunteer hours. Ensuring diversity of our staff is of the utmost importance, and it is vital that our young campers engage with role models who look like them and reflect the diversity of their families and communities.

This experience can only be made possible with your help! Please join us in bringing the joy of Camp Lots-of-Fun to the kids of Family Promise this summer. Your donation will help ensure that that our kids have two incredible weeks of fun, engaging experiences in safe, caring environment. Thank you for your support!

Please select “Camp Lots-of-Fun” to designate your gift.

Please note: Any funds raised beyond the needs of Camp Lots-of-Fun will be utilized to support other Family Promise programs in the area of greatest need. Thank you.

For questions or to learn about sponsorship opportunities for Camp Lots-of-Fun, please contact Amy Ebeling at aebeling@bergenfamilypromise.org.