Domenica Foundation partners had a lot going this summer! Today we highlight three programs that enrich the lives of Camden and South Jersey children and youth: LUCY Outreach’s summer camp (pictured above), YMCA Camp Speers, and boot camp for rising Domenica Scholars.
LUCY Summer Camp
Our longtime partner LUCY Outreach hosted seven-week day camps in July and August, serving 203 “littles” and teens. Both programs offered lots of interest-based clubs and fun activities, plus day trips.
Littles, for example, could participate in Scouting, book club, softball and other sports, dance and other arts programming, gardening, and many others. On Fridays, the littles went to the pool, as shown in the top photo. They took day trips to the Philadelphia Zoo and Grounds for Sculpture, among others.
The teen summer camp offered drop-in time every morning, clubs in the afternoon, themed presentations and programming in the evenings, and both day and overnight trips. There were college prep activities, including an overnight trip to three local universities; outdoor activities ranging from sports to a beach visit; support groups; and a variety of special-interest clubs such as cooking and hip-hop dance. Teens even visited a farm to harvest corn!
The Domenica Foundation provided $40,000 toward LUCY’s summer camps this year. We also made a substantial contribution to the campaign to build the youth center that housed many of the summer activities.
Caregivers expressed their gratitude to LUCY and the summer staff. For example, one said, “The staff at LUCY is incredibly interactive…. This experience helped my son grow in areas of life that will truly help him in years to come.” Another summed it up: “I am so happy with LUCY, and we feel so blessed that we found you!”
YMCA Camp Speers
Again this summer, the Domenica Foundation funded 10 camperships to send Camden-area young people to YMCA Camp Speers.
Spending a week away from home in a rich natural setting is a valuable experience for any child. It’s particularly valuable for city children who typically have few safe outdoor spaces where they can play and learn.
Kayaking, pictured here, is only one of the many outdoor activities available to campers. They can also swim, climb, play sports, engage in arts and crafts, and learn about the natural world in which they are immersed for a week. Summer camp also builds social skills, independence, and self-confidence.
We are thrilled to make this enriching experience available to children whose families would not otherwise be able to send them to summer camp.
CPS Domenica Scholar Boot Camp
Every summer, Catholic Partnership Schools hosts a mandatory boot camp for rising Domenica Scholars. This two-week program helps prepare our scholarship recipients to take full advantage of the opportunity to attend a high-quality Catholic high school.
In the boot camp, students got help with their summer reading assignments and completed math packets. They learned about time management and other life skills they will need in high school. They engaged in community service, and of course there was time for recreation and fun.
Elena Piperno, Domenica Foundation director, joined the boot camp one day to share about the expectations and advantages of the scholarship program. She brought with her three current Domenica Scholars to answer the new scholars’ questions. She called it “a great opportunity to meet the students, share my hopes and dreams for them, and officially welcome them into our Domenica Scholar family.”