Summer Enrichment Program

Summer Enrichment Program8-week summer program for approximately 100 children ages 5-14 from 9:00 am - 3:30 pm, Monday - Friday.  Our aim is to provide enriching activities which include daily Bible study, educational, grade-related review of math, reading and writing in a fun environment, crafts, swimming, trips to State Parks, community service projects and at the conclusion of the program a trip to an amusement park.

Throughout our 8-week program, the children have Bible study, prayer, scripture memorization and life application of Scripture.  These activities encourage the children to come to know Christ as their personal Savior and also help them grow in their faith.  What they learn and experience here goes home with them and has an impact on the rest of the family.  Parents have told us they are pleased with the Christian songs their children sing and the verses that they can recite.

As a positive Christian influence in the Camden community, the Neighborhood Center has had a long-standing relationship with the Campbell Soup Foundation, which has provided much-needed financial support of our Summer Enrichment Program over the years.  The Center participates each year in the corporation's Kick-off Media Event along with other agencies who are also supported by them.  We also have a partnership with Parvin State Park and Bass River State Park for weekly trips out of the city along with the Camden YMCA for swimming during the summer.  Other organizations that partner with us are:
Rutgers University Nutrition Program - a representative comes to the Center once a week, for 6 weeks, to instruct the youth in proper nutrition.
Child Evangelism Fellowship Club -- provides Bible training to children one day a week.
Camden City Department of Recreation - provides breakfast and lunch for the program.
PSE&G Safety Presentation - provides training on how to recognize the danger of electricity and gas.

After School, Junior Teen, Summer Enrichment Program - In each of these youth programs, a strong emphasis is placed on teaching God's Word and having the youth memorize portions of Scripture with an emphasis on life application of Scripture.  After School children receive a minimum of 78 hours of Bible instruction throughout the school year, Summer Enrichment Program youth receive 30 hours during the 8-week program and Junior Teens participate in devotionals at each meeting and monthly Bible studies during the school year.  The youth in the After School and Junior Teen Programs are also given the opportunity to share what they have learned at our Family Dinner Programs and the Summer Enrichment Program youth at their closing program.

Partners

  • General Board of Global Ministries
  • Individuals
  • Work First of New Jersey
  • New Jersey Cares for Kids
  • United Way Donor Choice
  • A foundation grant
  • Corporate grants
  • Memberships
  • Camden City Library
  • Camden City Fire Department
  • Child Evangelism Fellowship Club
  • Rutgers Cooperative Extension Nutrition Program        
  • Camden City Department of Recreation Summer Food Program        
  • Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Green & Grow
  • Red Cross Abstinence Program