Paul’s Place Release:
Southwest Baltimore Community Outreach Center provides summer camp programs for Baltimore City youth
Baltimore, MD – July 2, 2014 – Paul’s Place, Inc., a community outreach center dedicated to improving the quality of life in Southwest Baltimore, is keeping neighborhood children busy during summer vacation with a number of camp programs for Baltimore City youth in grades 1-12. Paul’s Place offers the Summer Youth Internship Program, Middle School Summer Program and the Summer Outings and Camps for Kids (SOCKS) program to meet the needs of children of all ages while also continuing their education over the summer break.
In partnership with Youth Works, the Summer Youth Internship Program facilitates innovative summer internship opportunities with the goal of providing job experience to high school students. Over six weeks during the summer, students will experience the responsibility of meeting timelines, making decisions, hands-on customer service, and working with others, all of which are critical for success in college and the workplace. Students receive weekly stipends of $7.75 per hour. Receiving a regular paycheck also helps students learn financial management skills.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Youth Works this summer to provide our students with a wide variety of valuable internship experiences,” said Tissa Thomas, Youth Program Coordinator at Paul’s Place. “The program provides them with the opportunity to gain experience in the workforce while also teaching them valuable life skills.”
The Summer Outings and Camps for Kids (SOCKS) program partners with St. John’s, St. Thomas, Church of Redeemer, St. James Academy, River Farm and Woodberry Crossings Farm. The program runs for eight weeks and provides 40 elementary students with the opportunity to experience summer fun and adventure through field trips, physical activities, arts and crafts, and education enrichment programs including trips to the Maryland Science Center and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. In addition to these field trips, collectively the elementary students will read over 1,000 books during the summer break as part of the Enoch Pratt Summer Reading Club.
“The summer break is the perfect opportunity for these kids to partake in activities that provide fun outdoor activities and trips while also developing as positive members of the community,” said Christan Morley, Elementary Program Coordinator at Paul’s Place.
The Middle School Summer Program gives 24 girls and boys the opportunity to grow and develop mentally, socially and increase their self-esteem/confidence. This four-week camp runs five days a week and includes a wide range of activities including dance, sports, reading, sailing, camping, environmental education and volunteering.
About Paul’s Place, Inc.
Paul’s Place is a catalyst and leader for change, improving the quality of life in the Washington Village/Pigtown neighborhood and the surrounding Southwest Baltimore communities. Paul’s Place serves more than 80,000 guests annually, providing programs, services and support that strengthen individuals and families, foster hope, personal dignity and growth. For more information on Paul’s Place, visit www.paulsplaceoutreach.org.
