“Trees that grow tall have deep roots.” -Henri Nouwen
For over 30 years, Stewpot’s Summer Camp has rooted some of our city’s most at-risk youth in the rich soil of Stewpot’s loving community. It has been a safe place for kids to grow up and for teens to show up as themselves. Thankfully, those deep roots have helped our kids and teens to weather some pretty tough storms…and accomplish some remarkable things.
This year, we need for that to be true more than ever.
According to the directors of our children’s programs, Stewpot kids and teens are feeling less supported, less safe, and less connected than ever before. They are anxious beyond measure and feel very alone.
This is a widespread problem. The Mississippi Department of Education recently published a report revealing that 28% of Mississippi students are missing more than 18 days of each school year, more than double the rate from two years ago. That rate climbs to 36% among the schools our programs serve.
The Rev. Janet Ott, Stewpot Summer Camp’s founder once wrote, “When we fell in love with the children in the neighborhood, we fell hard.” This year, that love is compelling us to return to our roots, making connections and welcome the center of our efforts, with treats like popsicles and kickballs being the signs of that welcome, just like they were in 1992.
All of our campers come from families who cannot afford to pay for camp but need it desperately. Because we rely heavily on volunteers and donations, we can offer a seven-week camp for only $350 per child. We hope you will partner with us again by sponsoring one camper (or more!) or by providing partial support for a camper.
The total cost of the camp this year is $38,500, which covers staff, materials, food, field trips, games, books, and art supplies for all 110 of our campers.
Play helps kids and teens make sense of their world, and fun helps lighten their hearts. This mixture of fun, friends, and laughter is an antidote to combat the loneliness our kids and teens are feeling…and we are here for it.
Play and fun at Stewpot Summer Camp consists of cooking classes, science experiments, art projects, field trips, yard games, sports, movies, crafts, skits and camp songs. Campers also participate in enrichment opportunities such as writing workshops, summer reading, and one-on-one tutoring as needed.
With your gift of support, Stewpot can help deepen our kids’ roots, which will help them “grow tall,” as Nouwen says.
Your financial support changes lives every day. With your help, our kids can have a loving, secure, and safe place for the summer, people who look for them when they are absent, a community of other kids to enrich their lives, and the encouragement to stay connected when it feels like things are coming apart. In short, the support any child needs and every child needs.
In it Together,
Rev. Jill Buckley, Executive Director