For four weeks this summer, 90 elementary-age kids came to Saddleback’s campus to participate in Project City Hope’s first ever Summer Skills Camp. And by the response we got from both the parents and the children, it looks like this isn’t the last time we’ll be seeing Summer Skills Camp.

Because school districts have had to drastically limit summer school opportunities for kids in need of academic help, the PCH team had the idea to offer help to students here on our campus. We rounded up a few (truly amazing) teachers from local elementary schools who taught these students with as much dedication as they teach the students from their schools, and you could see that the students clearly felt taken care of and comfortable.

Not only did the teachers do a phenomenal job, but the volunteers went above and beyond, giving three and a half hours of their day, 3 days a week, to help the teachers with anything they needed, and to make sure the kids had a safe and fun four weeks.

And the kids definitely had fun: On the last day, after surprising the students with a chance to play with big bubble wands outside, more than one child was disappointed that Summer Skills Camp was over, and then asked if we were doing it again in August! Unfortunately, they’ll have to wait until next summer. But overall, the first Summer Skills Camp was a huge success and a blessing to the parents and kids. One mom said it well when she e-mailed the staff,

“Thank you for a wonderful first day of Summer Skills Camp! My daughter LOVED it! Thank you for all your hard work. We really appreciate it!”

If you’d like be a volunteer for Summer Skills next year, please e-mail Bonnie at bonniet@saddleback.com.