A Summer to Remember: HMI Camp Lights Up Young Lives with Books, Art & Play
HMI Summer Camp Brings Learning and Fun to Newcomer Kids in Riverside
HMI held its second annual summer camp July 21–25 at Crest Community Church in Riverside, offering a week of learning, fun and creativity for children from the community.
Before the camp officially started, the children visited the Main Riverside Public Library downtown, where they received a library tour and were able to pick up books and, for many, receive library cards for the first time. Those books were brought back to camp the following week so that the campers could have reading sessions and build upon their literacy and comprehension skills. During the sessions the campers played games like word animal kingdom which allowed them to
The camp was held from 9:00am to 12:00pm, with lunch provided at the end of the day. Throughout the week, campers took part in different activities, including soccer, painting, and group games. The mix of physical activity and creative projects gave the children a chance to relax, make friends, and explore new interests. The camp also featured a sessions like “Painting with Writing” offering campers the chance to focus on reading and language arts.
One of the highlights of the week was the painting sessions. The artwork created by the children will be displayed and auctioned at HMI’s upcoming 10 year anniversary gala, helping raise funds for future children’s and newcomer programs.
Now in its second year, HMI’s summer camp continues to provide meaningful experiences for refugee families in the Inland Empire, offering kids a chance to learn, have fun, and feel part of a larger community.
“The camp went great. Each volunteer performed well and moved smoothly through the challenges of the week. We ended with happy kids, happy parents, and happy volunteers.” - Matthew Silguero (Camp Supervisor)
“This camp was a perfect story—written with the words of a book, the art of a painter, and the conversations of new friends. We learned that the greatest adventures happen both on the page and on the field." - Friba Dawar (Camp Supervisor and HMI Representative)
