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Released 7 July 2009
Camp - Changing Kids' Lives for More than 60 Years
by Joe Harvey-Hall
Camp Homelani Director
"No. no. I can't do it! No, I can't"
Believe it or not, these are the sounds coming from a group of people "finding" their way as they end up becoming a solid team of youth camp counselors.
From high atop a challenge ropes course, the 2009 team of Salvation Army Camp Homelani program staff and counselors came together to face their first challenge - working with one another. By the end of the first day, the team had certainly bonded and understood the importance of communication and teamwork.
During the summer of 2008, The Salvation Army's Camp Homelani on the North Shore of O‘ahu opened its gates to 409 children. If history repeats, we are on track for similar numbers this year. There were 37 days of camp programs in 2008 that translated to approximately 50 "crazy meal" themes and12,050 meals served. The toilets were cleaned at least 1,044 times. The number of lives changed... we are still counting!
As we train our camp staff, we often challenge them to think about "the other backpack" - that invisible pack that children carry with them into camp and in their everyday lives. This invisible backpack includes things undisclosed such as questions about their self-image, trepidation about trying to fit in, or their growing pains. Other "backpacks" are filled with things that no child should ever have to face such as abuse, drugs and alcohol, and broken families.
Camp provides an escape from those things that weigh children down. A caring and sometimes wacky staff and programs provide the avenue to show these little ones that there is hope, and most importantly to assure them that they are loved. Camp Homelani has provided summer camp programs for Hawai‘i's keiki for over 60 years, and today, it continues to focus on bringing the best possible experience to our children.
The Salvation Army has always believed that children should have an opportunity to go to camp regardless of their ability to pay. Camp Homelani depends on the support of local foundations and donors who help meet the goal of providing camp for every child. The last year has been difficult for Camp Homelani. Like many other organizations, it is struggling to maintain current support as it is challenged to find new sources of funding. Like the staff members who stepped out on that rope over 30 feet in the sky, we maintain faith that funding is out there and we will continue to serve the community through our camp program.
At this writing, the first bunch of campers has just arrived to kick off the 2009 Camp Homelani summer programs. The staff, now a confirmed solid team, is opening their lives and arms with great excitement as the campers fill the facility with laughter and activity. We invite you to join us for all of the fun. Visit our camp blog at http://homelani.blogspot.com. Camp Homelani is an accredited camp with the American Camp Association (ACA).