Let me tell you about the summer camp that has changed my life entirely. This summer camp isn't the kind you will see in movies about people breaking out into song around a campfire, (even though that sounds awesome), but it is about education and teaching kids to have fun when learning.
I know what you are thinking; education and summer camp shouldn't be allowed in the same sentence. While summer is about relaxing and trying to not worry about school, summer camp to these kids is about improving their learning. Camp St. Vincent De Paul Baltimore is a summer-long camp where over 250 homeless kids in Baltimore City get the opportunity to focus on academic, emotional, and social development. The campers ages range from 5 to 14 years of age and are either in shelters or in transitional housing. Neither living arrangements are permanent and some kids are always moving because of the struggle of poverty.
I have been very lucky to be a camp counselor at this summer camp for two summers in a row now and have grown attached to teaching these kids the importance of education. As a camp counselor, every day you get to see these amazing kids grow and surpass their daily struggles. Even though these kids have seen some very unpleasant things in life that most adults never have to see, they are the most hopeful and beautiful kinds of people you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. No matter what is going on at home, the campers come with loads of energy and radiate with kindness.
Seeing these kids smile when they get a math problem right, or when they finally get past that difficult looking word in a book- you are forced to reflect on your own life. Whenever I am in a rough spot in my life or when I feel like nothing is going right, I think about this summer camp and I soon realize my problems are minuscule compared to what these kids experience on a daily basis. Camp St. Vincent has given me the opportunity to see just a sliver of what real homelessness is like.
If you are having a bad day or things just aren't going right, just think of these kids who jump with glee about all the simple things in life. Smile and give everyday your best, and remember to smile at the simple things in life!
If you would like to learn more about homelessness or poverty in America alone, check out the St. Vincent De Paul of Baltimore's website here http://www.vincentbaltimore.org/home.
