Posted on July 2, 2015 The days are longer, the school year’s over, and the sun is shining brightly. It’s officially summer in New York City, and that means the start of a new season at Camp Homeward Bound! We officially kicked off the first Camp session on Sunday, June 28, and the girls and boys stepping of the buses couldn’t wait to dive into another amazing summer of hiking, swimming, biking, arts and crafts and more. Greetings from Camp Homeward Bound! For more than 30 years, the Coalition’s Camp Homeward Bound has giving homeless boys and girls the chance to escape the oppressive heat and boredom of another grueling summer in a homeless shelter for the open spaces and fresh air of our spectacular campsite in Harriman State Park. Led by Camp Director Beverly McEntarfer and our wonderful staff and counselors from around the world, Camp Homeward Bound will host 300 homeless girls and boys over three 16-week sessions this summer. The campers enjoy daily activities including sports and fitness, swimming and water safety, biking, arts and crafts and dance – as well as learn about nature and outdoor living skills, music, computers, video production, photography, math, science, cooking and nutrition. Learning about healthy eating and making veggie sushi at CHB Nothing teaches teamwork like a paddling kayak! Camp Homeward Bound relies on donation to keep going each year, and so on June 10th the Coalition held our annual Carnival Night for Kids event at Central Park’s Victorian Gardens Amusement Park. This amazing night of games, rides, and magic raised $150,000 for Camp Homeward Bound and its sister program, Bound for Success. Flying high at Carnival Night for Kids Author Steve Light signs copies of his beloved children’s book, Have You Seen My Monster? CHB counselors were on-hand to tell guests more about camp You can see more Carnival Night magic by browsing the photos from our on-site photo booth and on our Facebook page. Tonight more than 24,000 kids will sleep in NYC homeless shelters, and far too many have spent the better part of their lives knowing nothing but trauma and instability. Camp Homeward Bound gives these girls and boys the chance to forget the terrible stresses of homelessness – and just be kids again. The summer is just getting started – stay tuned for more updates from Camp Homeward Bound! Give the gift of an unforgettable summer of joy, learning, and fun to a homeless child in New York City. Your support is what makes Camp Homeward Bound possible!
