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When I think back to my favorite summer memories, there’s a few patterns I notice – stories I imagine you might share as well. I spent my summers playing in my yard. I remember making rivers and rivers of mud with my garden hose and celebrating my dad’s birthday every August with dozens of his friends playing volleyball. I remember the smoke of the grill, and warm nights catching fireflies. All of these things took place in my backyard; I imagine some of your memories are from yours.
When we think about housing instability, it’s important to remember that a home is more than just shelter. Home is where we rest, where we connect with our families and loved ones, and where we make memories. For kids, home is where they study, play with siblings, ask their parents for advice. Housing instability, whether it’s in the form of house-hopping, staying in a hotel, or moving several times, impacts a child’s sense of stability in their play, their learning, and their connections. We’re proud to partner with families who work hard for their family’s future, because we dream, alongside those parents, of stable spaces for their kids.
While parents continue to work towards their goals, we’re grateful for the opportunity to provide children with summer fun at Camp Lots-of-Fun. Our camp is a unique opportunity to give kids a strong start into their school year, launching them forward with rich memories. They experience everyday summer fun, like trips to the local pool and outdoor games, as well as educational and empowerment activities, such as a visit to Pony Power Therapies, which utilizes horses and nature to provide kids a sense of confidence and connection.
Of course, all of us want our summers to include time with our friends. I have bright memories of my own local camp taking me to the pool, and I remember eating the most artificially-dyed red popsicle you can imagine with some friends on a pool towel as we laughed. Camp Lots-of-Fun gives campers a chance to connect with others who have faced similar circumstances, led by compassionate counselors who are ready to meet them where they’re at – no stigma, no shame, just an opportunity to connect as kids! Our campers are paired with teen counselors from our very own Youth Council, a group of Bergen County teens who have dedicated their own time to learning about, advocating for, and volunteering in causes that support access to housing. Thanks to these awesome teen volunteers, we have a one-to-one camper-to-counselor ratio, offering kids an opportunity to connect with and learn from new role models.
Of course, we can’t forget that this program is a vital form of homeless prevention! The significant expense of childcare is a massive barrier to families working towards stability. Camp Lots-of-Fun is strategically held during the last two weeks of the summer, when many other programs have closed. Though this may appear minor, this timing ensures that families have free childcare during these weeks, offering parents the freedom to go to work and continue building a more stable foundation. Workplace consistency also allows families greater chances of advancement.
Whether your favorite summer memories took place by a pool with an ice cream cone in your hand, or with some friends in a park, Camp Lots-of-Fun is giving that same gift to Bergen County kids. You can support Camp Lots-of-Fun with a monetary donation, or by purchasing an item from our wish list, to help make summer a little brighter for our campers.