Why Underserved Camps Matter More Than Ever
18.02.26
Why Underserved Camps Matter More Than Ever
For children from underserved communities, summer camp is more than just a summer experience, it’s a chance to step outside their comfort zone, discover new interests, and try new activities they may not have access to at home.
Camp provides a safe space where kids can simply be kids, exploring, growing, and opening doors to new possibilities. It helps shape them into well-rounded young people, with many progressing from camper to counselor-in-training to counsellor, gaining valuable life skills along the way. Camp supports social-emotional growth, builds independence, and strengthens confidence in ways that last far beyond the summer.
For many of these campers, having international Camp America counsellors introduces them to new cultures and perspectives. They may not have had the opportunity to travel outside of the United States, but through their counsellors, from the UK, Australia, Mexico, Italy, and beyond, they experience cultural exchange firsthand. They learn about different traditions, accents, stories, and ways of life all from within the bubble of camp.
Representation and diversity matter. It’s important for campers to see themselves reflected in the people guiding and mentoring them. Many Camp America counsellors, like me, come from diverse or underprivileged backgrounds, allowing them to empathize deeply with their campers and serve as powerful role models. Sometimes, seeing someone who has walked a similar path can be the encouragement a young person needs to believe in their own potential.
Camps serving underprivileged communities foster environments where campers develop confidence, self-esteem, independence, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. These are not just “camp skills”, they are life skills that position young people to pursue their future aspirations with resilience and belief in themselves.
Every child deserves the same opportunities as their classmates over the summer. Camps that remove financial barriers ensure that cost does not prevent a child from discovering their passions or building lifelong memories. In doing so, they strengthen families, uplift communities, and expand opportunities for the next generation.
And the impact doesn’t stop with the campers.
Not only do campers return home changed for the better (yes, that’s a little Wicked reference), but so do the counsellors. Supporting underserved youth often became one of the most meaningful and transformative experiences of my life. What may begin as a summer abroad becomes something far greater: a shared journey of growth, understanding, and global connection.
I spent the summer of 2024 working at Camp Mariah – The Fresh Air Fund where I met so many incredible young people with heaps of potential. Being able to watch them grow from their first day of the session to their last day was the most rewarding feeling. Knowing I made a positive impact on their journey made the experience truly unforgettable.
So, if you’ve read this and thought… yeah that sounds like me then check out some camps for underserved communities. A camp is out there waiting for a mentor like you!