Catholic Charities will host camps in Charlotte for refugee children in grades K-12 this summer. Campers will have a chance to explore museums like Discovery Place and take day trips to places like Carowinds, ImaginOn and the Raptor Center. (Photos provided by Catholic Charities)CHARLOTTE — More than 50 children who have fled war and persecution in their homeland will get a chance this month to do what so many American children take for granted: have fun at a summer camp.
The children are from families who have recently found new homes in Charlotte thanks to Catholic Charities’ Refugee Resettlement Program.
Catholic Charities organizes a summer camp every June through August to give them the chance to ride a roller coaster at Carowinds, pet a horse, swim in a pool, and create artwork from popsicle sticks – besides other classic summer camp activities.
The school-age kids come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Burma, Thailand, Guatemala, India, Cameroon and Syria.
They will enjoy day trips to places like the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, Carowinds, ImaginOn children’s library and theatre, the Carolina Raptor Center, the Rock Hill, S.C., Museum and Belmont Abbey College.
Campers will also enjoy trips and activities like arts and crafts, roller skating, hiking, swimming and field days. Plus, there are English as a Second Language activities to help students continue to improve their speaking and writing skills. College and employment readiness classes are also offered for the older students.
Laura Jones, who supervises the program, says the summer camp does wonders for the kids – many of whom have spent most of their young lives in conflict areas or refugee camps abroad. They have never known the joy of diving into a pool or going roller skating.
“The summer camp does provide an outlet of socialization,” she says. “We really try to offer enrichment programs that expose them to things they wouldn’t have otherwise experienced.”
The first week of camp kicks off with Career Week, where presenters from fields such as law enforcement, healthcare and the military will share about what they do in their respective fields.
“We’re open to volunteers for presenters,” Jones says. She’s hoping to gather a diverse group of professionals who love what they do to come forward from the community to meet the kids and help make their camp experience an unforgettable one.
There’s also a need for volunteers over age 21 to assist as drivers for the summer program. There are two interns assisting this summer and volunteers from
Charlotte Catholic High School as well, but with campers living in different areas around Charlotte, there is a need for more volunteers to shuttle children to field trips and activities.
Donations to the summer camp program are another way people can assist in Catholic Charities’ efforts to provide a fun, informative summer for refugee children.
“We need financial assistance to provide the resources to take the children to all the fun attractions we have planned,” Jones explains.
She notes that it’s gratifying to see children from different countries who speak different languages interacting with each other during the camps.
“There’s a lot of sign language going on, and a lot of smiles.”
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
Lend a hand
Refugee children from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Burma, Thailand, Guatemala, India, Cameroon and Syria now living in Charlotte will get the full American summer camp experience June 27-Aug.5. Activities like crafting, rollerskating, hiking and swimming are just some of the fun things on the schedule.Want to volunteer or provide financial support for the Refugee Resettlement Youth Summer Camp Program? Contact Laura Jones at 704-370-3397 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..