Summer Camp Makes A Difference For Homeless Baltimore Children

For 100 homeless children in Baltimore, summer is looking brighter thanks to the local nonprofit organization St. Vincent de Paul. Kicking off this week, the organization is putting on summer camp for the children, all living in homeless shelters and transitional housing in the city.

WBAL reports the camp is open to homeless children between the ages of five and 12 years old. St. Vincent de Paul buses the children from shelters for fun and educational activities such as swimming sessions, reading and math lessons, art projects and more. Children can attend any of the four two-week camp sessions offered, or choose to participate for all eight weeks.

"We thought it was good to try to teach on building resiliency skills, for the fact that they are living in these homeless shelters and transitional homes, and we found that they need a special one-on-one touch in order for them to have the ability to cope with some of the situations they're living in," [Camp Director Vena] Carter said.

Summer camp organizers also say the camp helps children improve their reading and math skills to start the next school year better prepared.