Summer Youth Camp
Good Neighbors has held a summer youth camp for high school youth groups almost every year since 1998. In 2000, priority was given to allow groups to travel to North Carolina to help residents after the devastation by the floods of Hurricane Floyd. In 2008, the Good Neighbors board and staff were fully involved in the incorporation of Good Neighbors as a 501 c(3) non-profit organization. In the early years, the Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square was the host church. Since 2008 we have been blessed to use the new, expanded facilities at the Avondale Presbyterian Church. In 2015 we held our 16th annual Youth Camp.
Each year, our busiest week at Good Neighbors is the third week in July – and 2015 was no exception. Fifty-two teens signed up this year as eager volunteers for our annual Youth Camp, some returning for the 5th or 6th consecutive year. While their friends were sleeping in, playing video games or lounging at the beach, these kids were “Repairing Home, and Restoring Hope” to low-income families.
During youth camp, under the watchful care of our professional Project Managers, youth are mentored and home repair skills are taught. These young volunteers also learn that poverty is not only “out there in the boonies”, it’s right here in Chester County, and they can make a difference. Teamwork, cooperation and kindness are also on display as our young volunteers inevitably bond with our grateful homeowners.
Each evening, after showers at The YMCA and dinner at Avondale Presbyterian Church (our camp home for the week), Good Neighbors Chaplain, Joshua Knott led thoughtful, Biblical devotions, helping kids make wise choices and develop healthy spiritual habits. For 2015 our spiritual theme was “Believe”, from John 20:31.
Additional highlights of Youth Camp 2015 include:
With God’s blessings and your continued support, we plan to press onward with Camp 2016. Thank you!
Each year, our busiest week at Good Neighbors is the third week in July – and 2015 was no exception. Fifty-two teens signed up this year as eager volunteers for our annual Youth Camp, some returning for the 5th or 6th consecutive year. While their friends were sleeping in, playing video games or lounging at the beach, these kids were “Repairing Home, and Restoring Hope” to low-income families.
During youth camp, under the watchful care of our professional Project Managers, youth are mentored and home repair skills are taught. These young volunteers also learn that poverty is not only “out there in the boonies”, it’s right here in Chester County, and they can make a difference. Teamwork, cooperation and kindness are also on display as our young volunteers inevitably bond with our grateful homeowners.
Each evening, after showers at The YMCA and dinner at Avondale Presbyterian Church (our camp home for the week), Good Neighbors Chaplain, Joshua Knott led thoughtful, Biblical devotions, helping kids make wise choices and develop healthy spiritual habits. For 2015 our spiritual theme was “Believe”, from John 20:31.
Additional highlights of Youth Camp 2015 include:
- Four families (from Kennett, Avondale, West Grove & Oxford) were blessed with major home repairs – at no cost to the homeowners.
- 52 teens experienced first hand the joy of fulfilling Christ’s call to serve one another in love.
- Our teens and adult leaders safely accrued a total of 4,332 volunteer hours.
- Hope was restored and nourished – not only for our homeowners, but for our volunteers too!
With God’s blessings and your continued support, we plan to press onward with Camp 2016. Thank you!
