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If you’ve been following Family Promise of Bergen County, you probably know a little bit about Camp Lots-Of-Fun, our summer camp for children whose families are receiving support through our services. Camp Lots-Of-Fun provides a safe and fun way for kids to spend their summer, covering the two-week gap between other camps and the beginning of the school year. Our campers are assigned incredible counselors who are ready for a fun-filled few weeks, complete with a carnival day, activity outings, and all the fun of summer camp.
Camp is a happy memory for many of us, but Camp Lots-Of-Fun is much more than an opportunity for kids (and counselors) to have fun – it’s a strategic form of homeless prevention. As parents and caregivers work to ensure financial stability for their families, childcare is a common challenge. Many families cannot afford to have one parent stay home with the kids, but rising childcare costs create barriers. Childcare allows parents to work towards the future they dream of for themselves and their kids. By providing a fun and safe place for kids to be during the workday, Family Promise empowers local families to work hard, pay their bills, and prevent homelessness.
Camp Lots-of-Fun also provides a priceless opportunity for teens in our community to develop their leadership skills, while learning to serve their community. Many of our counselors are applicants from our own Youth Council, which works year-round to contribute to awareness and fundraising for housing instability in Bergen County. One of our teenagers, Matteo, shared about his own experience:
Hey! My name is Matteo, and I was a counselor at Family Promise’s Camp Lots of Fun this past summer, an experience I’ll never forget. When I arrived at Camp Lots of Fun, I was really impressed by how much thought and care Family Promise had built into every aspect of the camp experience itself, from the field trips to the countless activities. Early into the camp, we were paired with our own camper, following the policy of a 1:1 counselor-to-kid ratio. That ratio ended up being one of the best parts of the experience. My camper and I spent free time playing soccer, talking at lunch, and eventually putting together a dance for the talent show with two other counselors and their campers. We did the gritty and the crab dance on stage to APT by Rosé and Bruno Mars, and watching the three kids go from goofing around in practice to actually pulling it off in front of everyone was the highlight of camp for me. I’ll never forget the smile on my camper’s face every time I said we had time to go play soccer, or when he saw the freshly cooked chicken tenders sitting in the tray. The last day was full of emotions, as kids broke down in tears, hugging their counselors because they knew they’d have to wait another summer to see them again. This moment made me realize Camp Lots of Fun is more than just a free summer program. It’s a genuine and lasting experience for all the campers. Camp Lots of Fun has left an unforgettable mark on me, and that’s exactly why I’m excited to return this summer.
Whether through Camp Lots-Of-Fun, our Youth Council, or our other support programs, Family Promise continues to empower families in Bergen County, developing housing stability for bright futures.
If your family is in need of support with housing stability, please contact us through this page.