In early June, the school bell rings for the last time, signaling the end of the school year and the beginning of summer. Class is dismissed, and waves of excited students pour out the school doors. Kids talk about the vacations they’re taking, the new adventures they’ll explore, and the different activities they want to try. While it seems like every child is looking forward to summer, there are some students who don’t know what their summer will look like or where they’ll spend it.
School isn’t only a place for learning; it is a place where students feel safe, cared for, and connected with others. Some students view school as a second home — a space where kids are free to be themselves while also feeling secure. During summer, that security disappears. Children miss out on having the structure and the sense of belonging that school provides.
Summer is also a difficult time for parents working full-time jobs. Caring for children is itself a full-time job, and balancing it with a demanding job with little flexibility can become overwhelming. Summer camps and childcare centers are expensive, especially for families already managing tight budgets.
Without the social environment of school, some children also lose the ability to connect and form relationships with peers. Bonds built in the classroom can fray over summer, leaving children feeling lonely and isolated. The resources that schools provide are essential to a child’s strong mental health and well-being.¹
Summer camp is a crucial resource for families navigating these challenges.² At Charlotte Family Housing, we strive to provide these resources year-round. That is why we offer an eight-week summer camp for the families in our program. Kids ages 8–15 get to enjoy a structured space with camp instructors, fun activities, snacks, and friends.
Camp RUSH is open to children living in the shelter or in housing while enrolled in our program. Parents feel relief knowing their children are safe and well cared for during camp hours, freeing them to focus on work, appointments, or other matters.
Camp RUSH runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. Breakfast kits are assembled with the help of volunteers and distributed to campers each morning. Lunch is also provided by volunteers, who can sign up to bring a prepared meal or cook on-site at the shelter. It is a great way to connect community members and enjoy a lunch surrounded by caring people.
Our camp counselors, Kerry and Kahina, are full-time teachers during the school year, making them the perfect match for our campers. They understand children’s needs and know how to provide a supportive structure over the summer months. They also come with a built-in connection to CFH families, working as part-time RAs at the shelter. Their connection with CFH families and campers helps them create a safe environment where structure and bonds are built.
During the day campers get to go on different field trips including Ray’s Splash Planet, Carowinds, Kate’s Skating Rink, Bowling, movies, and more! The rest of the summer includes activities with Arts Plus, Catawba Lands Conservancy, Imaginon, Workshops, Field Days, and Spirit Week! Everyday at Camp RUSH is an exciting adventure where campers get to make new connections, feel loved, and experience stability. Camp RUSH focuses on creating a space where wellness, joy and adventure, creativity and expression, and future focus are implemented. Children get to experience these core principles throughout camp.
Summer camp offers a healthy, enriching environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive. Without school, routine disappears, regular meals become uncertain, and some children are left alone while their parents work. Camp RUSH exists because every child deserves an amazing summer — and every parent deserves peace of mind.
When school starts back up in August, Camp RUSH campers will have plenty to talk about, too.
¹ American Camp Association. “Benefits of Camp.” ACA Camps. https://www.acacamps.org/parents-families/benefits-camp
² Friedman-Krauss, Allison, and Ellen Frede. “Lessons from Camp.” Harvard Graduate School of Education, July 2016. https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/usable-knowledge/16/07/lessons-camp
³ YMCA of Western North Carolina. “Why Summer Camp Is a Life-Changing Experience for Kids.” YMCA WNC Newsroom. https://www.ymcawnc.org/newsroom/why-summer-camp-life-changing-experience-kids
