How HMI's Summer Camp Brought Every Age Together, From Five to Fifteen
All Ages, One Camp
A five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old, in the same room, doing the same activities. That was the challenge facing HMI's newest program, the Refugee School Impact (RSI) Program, when it hosted our annual summer camp for 30 kids this July.
Running the last week in July, from 9:30am to 12:30pm, the week brought together kids spanning our youngest learners to our oldest teens under one roof. Holding the attention of a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old at the same time is no small feat, but in practice, the mix worked in our favor. Older kids stepped up to help the younger ones, and the younger ones kept the energy in the room high from morning to noon.
Hands-On with CDFA
One of the week's activities was a live insect show hosted by Grace Radabaugh and her team from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). Kids got to see and handle insects up close, ask questions, and learn a bit about the role bugs play in agriculture and the environment. It was the kind of hands-on experience that doesn't show up in a regular classroom.
The week was packed with other hands-on activities too, including making slime, potting and decorating plants, and a giveaway of school supplies to help kids get ready for the coming school year.
The People Behind the Week
None of this runs without our volunteers and RSI staff, the people who showed up every single morning to lead activities, keep kids engaged, and make sure the week ran without a hitch. Their time and consistency were the backbone of the camp, and the kids noticed it too, showing up excited each day to see the same familiar faces.
Fueled by Mamma Mia
A week of learning takes fuel, and Mamma Mia restaurant stepped up, for the second year in a row, to provide food for our students throughout the week. Having a hot, reliable meal each day meant one less thing for families to worry about, and it kept 30 kids ready to take on whatever the day had planned.
A Week Worth Remembering
"The HMI Summer Camp provided a rewarding week of educational activities and recreational fun for students and volunteers," said Friba, RSI Program Manager.
For many of these kids, summer break can mean losing routine and community, especially for families still settling into a new country. This camp gave them both back, plus a week full of learning and fun along the way.
Thank you to our volunteers, to Grace Radabaugh and the CDFA team, to Mamma Mia, and most of all to the kids who made this week one to remember. To learn more about the RSI program or find out how to get involved, visit hmir.org/rsi.
