Learning To Serve Others
Our expanding middle school program uniquely blends MLF camp activities with volunteering opportunities in the camp community. The added responsibility enhances the program for the older campers. They will build friendships in small group settings and step out of their comfort zone to serve throughout camp. Campers will participate in many service-based activities, and will plan and execute a camp-wide fundraiser and community service project. We have found that our campers want to engage actively and directly in addressing community needs - and we are updating our programs accordingly to provide these opportunities.
Some camper favorites include managing the donations coming in for the pantry and clothes closet, volunteering their time with the elderly in the St. Thomas More Respite program and managing & executing a community project from planning to completion (see the projects below.) Our goal is for your middle schooler to have fun as they learn the value and satisfaction of serving others.
MLF CAMP - IN MY SHOES!
Campers will embrace the "In My Shoes" theme, and will be actively involved in service to other campers, to foster children and displaced kids, and to homeless families (campers will not have direct involvement with any groups, aside from other campers).
Some camper favorites include managing the donations coming in for the pantry and clothes closet, volunteering their time with the elderly in the St. Thomas More Respite program and managing & executing a community project from planning to completion (see the projects below.) Our goal is for your middle schooler to have fun as they learn the value and satisfaction of serving others.
MLF CAMP - IN MY SHOES!
Campers will embrace the "In My Shoes" theme, and will be actively involved in service to other campers, to foster children and displaced kids, and to homeless families (campers will not have direct involvement with any groups, aside from other campers).
Middle School Project 2019 - Community First! Village
From MLF.org: "Community First! Village is a 51-acre master planned community that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness. This transformative residential program exists to love and serve our neighbors who have been living on the streets, while also empowering the surrounding community into a lifestyle of service with the homeless." This year, campers orchestrated a camp-wide bake sale - planning all elements of the fundraiser, and donating 100% of monies earned to Community First! Village
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Middle School Project 2018 - St. Vincent de Paul Society
The Society of St Vincent de Paul is a network of friends, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need. This year, middle school campers decorated reusable shopping bags and made baked goods to sell to camper and church families in support of this organization. All funds were donated at the end of the summer to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
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Middle School Project 2017 - Serving Veterans at the VA Outpatient Clinic
Each and every day, volunteers serve free coffee to all veterans and caregivers who are at the clinic for appointments. This year, our middle school campers hand-painted t-shirts with a patriotic flair. These stylish shirts were then sold at the end of the camp week to campers, their families and the church community. All funds raised were donated directly to the Clinic to defray the cost of providing coffee. In addition, campers and their families had the opportunity to pick up and deliver meals pre-made at camp, and serve them to veterans at the Clinic. Our campers truly SERVED THOSE WHO SERVE.
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Middle School Project 2016 - Raising Funds for Florence's Comfort House
Florence's Comfort House (FCH), is a long-standing charity dedicated to serving the children of East Austin. Founded by Florence Ponziano, FCH serves the Montopolis area by attending to the basic needs of the surrounding neighborhoods, including providing food and clothing to families, while offering the support necessary for the children to thrive.
In 2016, middle school campers created a fundraising project to directly benefit FCH. In the spirit of Florence's artistic approach to life, campers tie-dyed FCH shirts and sold them at the end of the week to camp and church families. The campers managed each phase of the project, from researching FCH, to defining the project idea and scope. They also organized the tie-dye activity, marketed the T-shirts, and donated the funds to Florence. These middle schoolers successfully served their community with enthusiasm and a focus extending beyond themselves.
In 2016, middle school campers created a fundraising project to directly benefit FCH. In the spirit of Florence's artistic approach to life, campers tie-dyed FCH shirts and sold them at the end of the week to camp and church families. The campers managed each phase of the project, from researching FCH, to defining the project idea and scope. They also organized the tie-dye activity, marketed the T-shirts, and donated the funds to Florence. These middle schoolers successfully served their community with enthusiasm and a focus extending beyond themselves.
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