Staying Off the Streets this Summer with The Salvation Army
Summer is just around the corner. When that final school bell rings for the year, where will the kids go? What will they do to continue stimulating their brains? The Salvation Army is committed to keeping kids safe and out of the path of violence.
Here are the top things to do this summer with The Salvation Army.
Day Camps
The Salvation Army Corps Community Centers offer day camps at their facilities focusing on sports, arts and crafts, hobbies, music, scouting and more. Camps are offered here: Blue Island, Crystal Lake, Evanston, Harbor Light (West Humboldt Park), Joliet, Ray and Joan Kroc Center, Mayfair, Norridge, Red Shield Center (Englewood), Oakbrook Terrace, Rockford, St. Charles and Gary, Indiana.
The Salvation Army also offers weekly sleep-over camps during the summer. These camps focus on different hobbies (sports, high adventure, music, etc.), and are hosted at Wonderland Camp just over the Wisconsin border. Campers stay in log cabins, and enjoy their days in the sunshine and their evenings around the campfire.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School (VBS) walks children and young teens through the Bible, its significant stories and lessons, and how they relate to our lives today. Attendees also take part in crafts and other activities. Vacation Bible School is available in Chicago’s Mayfair neighborhood, DeKalb, Des Plaines, Norridge, Rockford, East Chicago, Indiana and Hammond-Munster, Indiana.
Swimming Lessons
The Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center offers swimming and diving lessons in their indoor aquatic center. The certified courses teach fundamental water safety skills and a variety of swim strokes, and are open to all ages. Visit the Kroc Center for more information.
Celebrate Launch and Landing
This weekly program, offered at Red Shield Center, is designed to support teams and families in one of Chicago’s most dangerous neighborhoods – Englewood. The program provides one-on-one support, mentoring, and helps participants work through grief, learn to develop stable relationships, and how to access additional Salvation Army resources.