Baltimore’s Only Summer Camp for Children Experiencing Homelessness Adapts Services Due to Pandemic

BALTIMORE, MD. (June 30, 2020) – Since 1907 the nationally recognized Camp St. Vincent program has been a valuable resource for local children experiencing poverty and homelessness in our community. Through wars, the Great Depression, civil unrest, and more recent challenges, Camp St. Vincent has continued to serve children every summer. This summer is no exception, despite the challenges of the current pandemic. 

Now more than ever, children experiencing homelessness need Camp St. Vincent, and its specialized curriculum aimed at reducing the negative effects of homelessness and preventing summer learning loss. Just as importantly, Camp St. Vincent provides much needed recreation, lifts spirits, and provides hope to children who have lost so much, and have so little.

This summer, due to the pandemic, services have been adapted so that this valuable programming can continue to be provided to children, but in the safest possible manner. The Camp St. Vincent program will not be held at the Patterson Park this summer as in the past. Instead of holding a camp in a central location, services will be decentralized and offered directly at shelters and locations serving children experiencing homelessness. 

Services will be provided in small groups to maximize safety, and children will continue to enjoy a balance of recreation and learning. Each day will include reading, math, and enrichment activities, held in outdoor settings. This summer’s curriculum includes additional special social/emotional modules to help children cope with the trauma caused by the pandemic. Services will be provided for 6 weeks, from July 6 to August 14, for children ages 5-14 at shelters and homeless services programs across Baltimore City and County. 

The safety of staff and campers is of upmost importance to St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore. The new structure for this summer aligns with CDC guidance and addresses safety concerns. Having operated four homeless shelters continuously and safely throughout the pandemic, St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore is uniquely positioned to provide services to children within the CDC guidelines for social distancing, including wearing masks, handwashing, screening, and all other recommendations that decrease the risk of obtaining and spreading the virus. Staff will be trained to implement procedures over the summer to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus. 

St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore believes, now more than ever, it is important to provide comprehensive educational and socioemotional supportive services to children experiencing homelessness. Camp St. Vincent prevents children from falling further behind in school and provides critically needed recreation and enrichment during this traumatic time. 

Financial support is essential in ensuring Baltimore’s most vulnerable children have support this summer. To sponsor a child, visit www.vincentbaltimore.org/camp for more information.