This summer, thanks to the supporters of Americans Helping Americans®, we are able to once again support summer day camp programs in rural Kentucky and West Virginia to benefit a projected 225 children ranging in age from 3-5.
Last year, executive director Cameron Krizek reported that Americans Helping Americans® “made a significant impact on the youth by funding two summer camp programs: Cumberland Mountain Outreach (CMO) in Lee County, Kentucky, and Big Creek People in Action (BCPIA) in McDowell County, West Virginia.
“These camps not only provided safe and structured environments for children during the school break, but also addressed the critical needs that are often magnified during the summer months, such as food insecurity, academic learning loss, and lack of outlets for recreation,” said Cameron.
Cameron pointed out that the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) notes that interruptions in school disproportionately harm disadvantaged students who lack access to learning opportunities and supportive home environments.
“By filling this gap, the summer camps that we sponsor ensure that children don’t fall behind and discover opportunities to grow and thrive when too many are at risk of missing out,” says Cameron.
At the summer camp operated by CMO, children in grades 1-5 participate in various activities, including trips to a nearby swimming pool at a Kentucky state park.
“Here, the children gain independence while also learning teamwork, cooperation, and the value of giving back through volunteering and service projects,” says Cameron.
“For some, the highlight is when the pool opened, and they learned to swim for the first time.
“Throughout their week, campers also receive nutritious meals, which filled in a gap for children who often rely on school as their most consistent source of food.”
In her grant request for $10,000 from Americans Helping Americans®, CMO President/CEO Cynthia Evanoff explained that the funding would support five weeks of a three-day summer camp program beginning June 1 and serving an estimated 200 children from 90 households.
“We provide the program, transportation, a light breakfast, lunch, snacks, games, crafts, and an afternoon at the state park swimming pool,” stated Cynthia.
“The cash grant provides the fuel for the transportation, snacks and the lunch, some of the game materials, and some of the craft supplies as well as the entry fee for the state park swimming pools.”
She noted that, “Many of the children here in Appalachia are secluded in the mountain regions.
“This program provides them interaction with other children, as well as feeds them, teaches them social skills, and gives them exercise for healthy bodies.”
Cynthia said they have church groups come in from all over the United States to help implement the summer camp programs, interacting with and encouraging the children.
“This program is being funded by American Helping Americans® and the church groups that come in with their lessons and games.
“If American Helping Americans® did not fund this program, the younger children would not have anywhere to go for a summer camp experience – no food, no exercise, no interacting with friends – just staying home.”
Ultimately, Cynthia says, “the outcome we hope to achieve is happier, healthier children in our community that have learned skills, such as public speaking, swimming, and good sportsmanship.
“We have also found ourselves to be babysitters for low-income working mothers,” she added.
In McDowell County, BCPIA executive director Dyanne Spriggs reported that BCPIA’s summer camp program will serve approximately two dozen children ages 5-13 from 20 households this June.
She requested $8,000 in grant funding, which includes covering the cost of transportation to and from BCPIA headquarters, a full lunch and snack each day, as well as crafts, supplies, and miscellaneous activities for the kids.
In addition, “Because almost all of the kids we serve have never been on a vacation, at the end of the camp we will be planning a trip to the Smoky Mountains to stay three nights in a cabin.
“They loved their trip last year, and if we get the funding we ask for, we will have four days and three nights to be able to do everything we want to with the kids without being rushed.”
Dyanne went on to explain:
“Our families face many challenges: extreme poverty, lack of education, drug abuse, poor housing, and lack of transportation.
“Many kids come from families where they have no support, guidance, or care, with parents who do not place education as a high priority for their children.
“We can provide the kids a safe and positive atmosphere with the opportunity to get away from their home environment for a little while in the summer to associate with their friends, go on a field trip, and have fun learning together.
“Our summer camps will give children the opportunity to learn how to work, play, relate, get along, empathize, and connect with others.
“Our camps provide kids the opportunity to gather during the summer for organized activities to prevent ‘Brain Drain’ and build their independence, resiliency, and self-esteem in a safe, supervised, and supportive environment.
“We would not be able to serve these kids through the summer camp without financial support for the meals, activities, transportation, and field trips.
“The only funding we receive for our Summer Camp comes from Americans Helping Americans®, for which we are truly grateful.”
