Acta Non Verba - Youth Urban Farm Project - Oakland, CA
Founded and led primarily by women of color, Acta Non Verba (ANV) seeks to challenge the oppressive stigmas and dynamics in urban farming. They foster a safe space for children and families in the Oakland area to build their understanding of food production, nutrition and community ties. They serve lower income African American and Latino families in neighborhoods suffering from high crime rates and pollution. Their camps are designed to give these kids access and experience in farming and harvesting organically grown produce. They also do fun, traditional camp activities like overnights, campfire stories, hiking and stargazing! The best part - youth plant and harvest the organic produce which they then sell at ANV’s farmstand - all profits are then deposited into participating kids’ educational savings accounts! They’re currently open for in-person camp with social distance measures, as well as hosting online sessions.
Pretty Lake Camps - Pretty Lake, MI
Serving over 60,000 youth in the Kalamazoo area since 1916, Pretty Lake Camps provides an entirely free wholesome camp experience while also covering all amenities, from clothing and hygiene to transportation and bedding. While financial obstacles prevent a large number of children from participating in amazing summer camps that every kid deserves - Pretty Lake camps seek to tear down these barriers. Funded by private revenue and volunteers who believe in their mission, they seek to give kids life-changing experiences and life skills through their one-of-a-kind program. From boating and environmental education to archery, Pretty Lake gives every kid a summer they’ll never forget. With a prepared-ness plan in cooperation with CDC guidelines, Pretty Lake Camps are currently open.
Sherwood Forest Summer Camp - St. Louis, MO
With firm belief that education and opportunity are fundamental rights to all children, Sherwood Forest Summer Camp is dedicated to providing kids in need with transformational life experiences through their camp programs. Serving low income families from St. Louis, who live at or below the federal poverty line, Sherwood Forest is more than just a camp. While they have traditional camp experiences like backpacking and river excursions, they’re balanced by book club and performative arts programs designed to reduce summer learning loss and increase enthusiasm for learning. They strive to sustain lasting relationships with their campers and families, building off of their learning experiences from the year prior, helping kids cultivate their talents and interests while fostering powerful passions for education year round. While they aren’t physically open at their Lesterville location, they’re offering a free virtual alternative - Stay Camp 2020
Camp Brave Trails - Los Angeles, CA
Exercising elements of your typical, fun-filled summer camps, Camp Brave Trails gives a platform for LGBTQ+ youth to thrive and embrace their bravery and leadership. Through workshops, peer connection, positive role-modeling, service projects and artistic programming, campers gain crucial life skills to effect social change in their communities. In a world of inequality, Camp Brave Trails meets the demand to empower future generations of LGBTQ+ youth and give them the necessary skills to be leaders for change. They’re currently open with safe social distance practices in effect!
Camp Tawonga - San Francisco, CA
Camp Tawonga has served as one of the leading Jewish summer camps for the past 90 years, and helps kids celebrate their Jewish identities through community building and immersion in nature. Their loving, inclusive community allows their kids to explore their self confidence, compassion and spirituality and in turn foster a profound sense of acceptance and human connection. They have summer as well as year-round programs as well as ones that include the whole family! Unfortunately amidst COVID-19, they are not offering their yearly summer camp but are eagerly awaiting the storm to pass to resume their year round programs.
