Supporting Summer Camp means investing in every part of this story, and ensuring children and families experience joy from within their own community.
Dear Friend,
Wesley feels the wind over his ears riding his bike through the streets of Southbridge, loose gravel from construction crunches beneath his tires as he rounds the corner and sees something surprising: A group of kind, inviting teenagers walking the streets. UPW Staff Member, Mr. Josh, is with the group and greets him with a smile.
“Good afternoon,” Mr. Josh says. “What’s your name?”
“Wesley,” he responds. “What are you all doing?”
“We’re inviting kids to our summer camp! Fellas,” Mr. Josh turns to the StreetLeaders canvassing with him, “one of you sing a camp song to Wesley!”
There’s a long pause, but suddenly Mr. Chris (a former camper and second year StreetLeader) bursts out “THIS IS A REPEAT AFTER ME SONG!” Mr. Josh and the StreetLeaders follow suit “THIS IS A REPEAT AFTER YOU SONG!” When asked why he decided to step up to lead the song, Mr. Chris responded, “I wanted to be a good example for him, I wanted Wesley to feel like he could look up to us.”
Filling his chest with air, Mr. Chris shouts “I wanna be a pizza maaaaaaan!” and he leads Mr. Josh, the StreetLeaders and Wesley in a neighborhood rendition of the popular and energetic “Pizza Man” song. “It was hard to lead,” Mr. Chris shared, “but I felt like it was the right thing to do.”
“It was hard to lead,” Mr. Chris shared, “but I felt like it was the right thing to do.”
After the bunch sang through every verse, Wesley stood gaping at Mr. Chris–”That was fire!” he said. “You can experience this every day at summer camp,” Mr. Josh said, and he handed Wesley a registration form to take to his mom.
Wesley peeled off on his bike and the StreetLeaders continued knocking on doors and talking to students and parents in the streets, inviting them to summer camp.
Wesley comes up on his bike again, “Can we sing that song again?” he asks.
Not only do they sing again, but Wesley joins the group to help recruit!
“I believe he will make a great leader someday, he is so outgoing and friendly,” Mr. Chris says about Wesley.
Now hundreds of other children across the city are daily stepping into the fun, safe, caring environment of UPW Summer Camps. Kids will laugh with one another, play games, jump rope, and sing energizing songs under the guidance of UPW staff and StreetLeaders just like Chris. StreetLeaders coach children in the High 5s: 1. Practice Hospitality: 2. Do Everything with your Whole Heart; 3. Speak Life; 4. Take Ownership; 5. Reconcile with One Another. Campers will build relationships and witness StreetLeaders, like Mr. Chris, on their block living out the High 5’s they’ve learned. Prayerfully, today’s campers are tomorrow’s StreetLeaders.
Now hundreds of other children across the city are daily stepping into the fun, safe, caring environment of UPW Summer Camps.
Supporting Summer Camp means investing in every part of this story, and ensuring children and families experience joy from within their own community. You assure that hundreds of kids, dozens of StreetLeaders, many volunteers, interns and staff create a buzz in the city that leads to transformation and full life. All of that together is a $350,000 enterprise to show each child that they are welcomed, seen, known and loved. $2,000 pays one StreetLeader for their servant leadership this summer. $500 sponsors a camper’s fun and loving experience. $100 helps to feed interns in the staff house. $50 provides lunches for a field trip.
Sincerely, Dionne, Josh and James.
