More Than a Camp: Summer Belonging Through Soccer and English
This June, our office hosted a three-week summer camp for refugee and immigrant families—an experience full of joy, learning, and meaningful connection.
Eager mornings and lasting friendships
Each weekday, 28 children gathered for a full day of activities. Mornings were spent playing soccer, followed by a shared lunch and then English lessons in the afternoon. It quickly became clear that this was more than just a summer camp. Every morning, our vans would pull up and find children already waiting at their doors, backpacks on and smiles wide. One mom shared that her son was so eager she had to stop him from getting ready too early. “He kept asking when he could go,” she said.
Throughout the weeks, friendships blossomed. Two boys who were already friends at school discovered during camp that they lived just blocks apart. They now walk to each other’s homes and play together throughout the summer. When we asked a group of siblings what they had done over the weekend, their response was simple: “Nothing. But we were excited to come back here.” Camp became a place they belonged.
A Space for Mothers to Grow and Recharge
While the children learned and played, we also hosted a program for their mothers. Nine women participated in English classes while our volunteers cared for around ten young children nearby. For some, the impact was deeply personal. One woman, who cannot read or write, was thrilled to be able to share her name and address for the first time. Another began camp withdrawn and quiet, but by the final day was laughing out loud and confidently celebrating her new English skills.
One husband shared how much the experience meant to his family:
“My wife is very happy—it’s a great opportunity for her to get out, learn, and recharge a little. For the kids, it’s something like a preschool experience, which is really helpful for both them and for us.”
From Many Nations, One Celebration
On the last day of camp, we held an awards ceremony where children carried the flags of their home countries. It was a beautiful moment of pride and recognition, honoring both where they’ve come from and the new community they are becoming part of.
We are deeply grateful to our church partners at Harvest Church and The Avenue, whose staff and volunteers were a consistent and compassionate presence. Their support helped create a space where families could feel known, valued, and celebrated. We also give a huge shoutout to so many other volunteers who came and joined us!
Thank you to everyone who helped make this camp possible. You gave families more than a few weeks of activity—you gave them connection, confidence, and community.
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