Seahorse Campers Have Fun Giving Back

After seven weeks of fun, crafts, tennis lessons, sports, and games, campers at the Mattapoisett Recreation Seahorse Summer Explorers Camp have turned their attention to the community and how they can give back in the spirit of gratitude and goodwill. For the seventh week of camp, the kids have been counting their blessings and contemplating the lives of other children whose blessings are fewer, and taking action to make a difference.

Every day of the week, the young campers have been busy with different activities aimed at doing good in the community such as writing thank you letters to soldiers and sick kids in children’s hospitals. They raised money with a lemonade stand at the Town Beach and also collected canned goods and supplies for birthday party kits with cake mix, frosting, candles, plates, utensils, and balloons for kids whose families might not be able to host a birthday party for their child. They also baked cookies and brought them to local law enforcement officers and emergency response employees to show their thanks for the work they do in protecting the town.

“They were really responsive to the giving back idea,” said the camp’s Assistant Supervisor Annie Galvin. “They realize now that not every kid gets to come to camp, and not every kid gets to celebrate their birthday.”

The kids collected all the used books they could find, as well as gently used toys they no longer played with. They gathered ingredients to make dog treats and even made homemade doggie toys to give to local animal shelters.

“They brought in as much as they possibly could,” said Galvin.

Camp Program Supervisor Kate Oleson said her idea for the campers to give back to the community was well received, and the kids were excited about it. This young age, Oleson said, is a good time to instill within the kids a sense of community and of paying it forward.

“They love it. To be honest, I was really nervous at first they wouldn’t really like the idea,” said Oleson. “But they’ve had a really fun time doing it.”

She said when she asked the kids if they wanted to give back to the community, it was a resounding ‘yes!’

The kids themselves were eager to talk about which activity they enjoyed the most, and why.

Finn Kavanagh, 8, said his favorite part was putting together the birthday party packages.

“I wonder what they do on their birthday, and if they just sit there,” said Kavanagh. He said he felt sad for the kids who do not have birthday parties and it felt good to be able to help them.

Liz Harrington, 9, had the most fun making the dog treats for the animal shelter.

“I liked putting the pumpkin in,” said Harrington. “I have a dog, and I love dogs.”

The lemonade stand was a big hit with the kids, holding up signs and chanting songs to passersby. Caitlin Collier, 10, was proud that the kids made the lemonade themselves.

“I liked telling the people that we are donating the money to charity and seeing their smile because we are donating to charity,” Collier said.

Ethan Scully, 11, said it was cool to see how many people stopped by, and Mitchell Sylvia, 11, concurred.

“You get to see how many people really care, giving to charity, giving to people who don’t have as much as you do,” said Sylvia.

By Jean Perry

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