Hanover College and The Salvation Army Sports Camp
What do you get when you cross The Salvation Army Summer Camp and Hanover College? A partnership that is changing the lives of children all over the state of Indiana.
Every year The Salvation Army host summer camp for children all over the state of Indiana. These camp rang from outdoor 
experience, sports camp, music camp, and so much more. For many of these children, it will be their only opportunity away from home for the summer. One child commented, "I love summer camp because it is the only time I can get away from home, which, well, lets just say not all the great when I am there." The Salvation Army historically has served underprivileged children giving them opportunities to have a better future because of the investment like summer camp.
June 4th marked the official start to the camping season with Sports Camp leading the way. The Salvation Army reached out to Hanover College to see if they would have anyone interested in serving at camp again this year. Sure enough, head coach for the track team Brian Power and sophomore pitcher Justin Pope volunteered to coach at The Salvation Army Sports Camp.
When we met up with Justin, he was hard at work teaching kids proper hitting form and encouraging the students on what they were doing well.
Pope sat down and shared with us a bit of his experience at camp. "This experience has been really good. I have had other opportunities to coach at summer camps before, but this is my first interaction with The Salvation Army."
Pope went on to share, "I had one kid who said their family couldn't afford to pay to play sports, so this is their first opportunity doing something like this. I think that makes what I am doing here even more significant."
Pope continued to share his experience by saying, "You have a lot of kids here who you say one thing to them, compliment their swing or anything, and they are going home to play baseball the rest of their life. It is cool to know you can steer kids in the right direction that way."
Coach Power the head track and field coach for Hanover returned for the second year of helping at this camp. 
He shared with us. "This has been good so far; I think the best part was, we had a kid in a group yesterday share that because they ran track at camp last year, they went back to school and ran track for the first time there. To me, that's what it is all about. I was glad to get to play a role in that decision."
Power has a long history of summer camp and was instrumental in recruiting Pope to come coach at camp as well. Power understands the value of summer camp and is grateful for the opportunity to give back a week of his summer to impact kids lives across the state.
Hanover College prides itself on being a contributing member of Jefferson County. President Lake Lambert has made it clear on many occasions that he wants the residents of Jefferson County to know that the college is part of this community and they desire to contribute to the community in a variety of ways. The willingness to donate their staff and students to help The Salvation Army's sports camp is a clear indication of Hanover's commitment to this endeavor.
Lt Vinal Lee stated, "We are grateful for the way Hanover College continues to partner with The Salvation Army of Jefferson County to help meet a variety of our needs. Summer Camp is one clear example of the true beauty of Hanover." Lee went on to say, "we look forward to an ever-expanding partnership with the college."
There are still opportunities to sign your children up for summer camp, contact The Salvation Army's office at 812-265-2157 and register your child today!
About The Salvation Army Jefferson County
The Salvation Army, established in Jefferson County in 1925. The Salvation Army seeks to meet the needs of their community through ministries such as their onsite dental clinic, feeding program, financial assistance, pathway of hope, emergency disaster services, and seasonal assistance. The Salvation Army in Jefferson County serves countless individuals every day.
About Hanover College
Nestled in 650 acres of a wooded campus and located on the banks of the scenic Ohio River, Hanover College is a private, liberal arts institution where brains and beauty truly intersect. Their rigorous interdisciplinary academic program with 33 majors attracts the best and the brightest from across the region and beyond.