CA Kids Giving Back Launches Summer Camp at OC Rescue Mission

During the weeks of June 12th and June 19th, 2023, CA Kids Giving Back launched our first annual summer camp for the kids at OC Rescue Mission! Orange County Rescue Mission is a non-profit that takes in families that are experiencing homelessness. They are faith-based and provide basic necessities for people in need.

CA Kids Giving Back would like to thank Leah Miller of LA Kids Giving Back for winning a $500 Community Service Grant from Curtis School. With that grant money, we were able to provide crafts, prizes, bubbles, water toys, snacks, and games for the children experiencing homelessness. These activities impacted the lives of children at OC Rescue Mission by allowing long-lasting memories to be formed with the CA Kids volunteers. Our goal for this camp was to not only educate the kids but also entertain them through creative and fun activities.

The first week of camp, which took place during the week of June 12th-14th, was animal themed. During animal week, we played animal related games, sang songs, and made paper bags that looked like animals. To end the week, each kid received a stuffed animal to remember the first week of camp. We returned to the homeless shelter for week two, which was ocean themed. Staying on theme, we made foam submarines, ate goldfish, and did mermaid face paint and glitter tattoos as a special surprise. One of the benefits of doing this camp was giving the main teachers and leaders at Orange County Rescue Mission a chance to relax while we helped the kids. Being able to give teachers a break and allow little kids to have fun shows why volunteering in your community is an important and fulfilling experience.