The approach of summer has kids and parents thinking about the summer days ahead, with many parents already signing their kids up for summer camps. Camp is a fun, annual tradition that keeps children busy while enriching their time out of school. Life is good.
The same scenario holds true for HomeFront’s homeless children up to the part about signing them up for summer camp.
”We’ve always had camps for our kids,” explains Connie Mercer, HomeFront’s executive director. “For the past 15 years we have managed to find funding for our camp program, but this year those sources are no longer available.”
The current economy and job market have created increases in the number of people coming to HomeFront for help. At the same time hard times affect HomeFront, too. As contributions are more difficult to come by, several HomeFront programs are at risk the Camp program serving more than 120 children from 2 to 16 years old is one.
Summer can be a particularly difficult time for children from homeless and at-risk families. If the parents work, they are left home alone. Many are hungry, isolated and bored.
’The older children return to school with a head start. The educational activities prevent what researchers call “summer learning loss.” Research shows that children from low-income families often lose ground in basic academic skills like reading as a result of a summer of inactivity.
”Our camps are about sports, fun and games, but that’s not all they are,” says Brian Helmuth, director of HomeFront’s camps. “They are also about reading, mathematics and science and building positive social relationships, both with other children and with adult role models. “” HomeFront’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty. Sending homeless children to camp is one step in that direction. HomeFront’s children need the help of the community this summer. The cost of the camp is $135 per camper per week, for the eight-week camp. For $1,080 per child, HomeFront’s campers will have the best time of their life! The cost is small, but the reward is large.
“”To help send a homeless child to summer camp, visit: www. Homefrontnj.org and click on the icon on the left.

