Valley Forge Educational Services

A Three-Week Residential Sports Camp for “At-Risk” Youth

December 8th, 2010 by VFES

“Leveling the Playing Field” for “At-Risk” Youth

Date: 12/8/2010
Submitted by: Holly Henry, Director of Communications, 610-296-6765 x342 or hhenry@vfes.net

…Paoli, PA….HOPE for Kids, Lavner Camps & Programs and Valley Forge Educational Services (VFES) have come together to create a dynamic three-week summer sports program for “at-risk” youth –including those from North Philadelphia and its suburbs. The “Have a Ball!” Sports Camp will serve over 100 young athletes in August 2011 who are “at risk” economically, academically, physically and/or emotionally.

This camp will provide children and adolescents, ages 8–18, with opportunities to develop critical life skills within the context of organized, highly-motivating sporting activities against the backdrop of HOPE for Kids’ lush 90-acre camp property in Schwenksville, PA.  Special focus will be on character development and cultivating self-advocacy and leadership skills. In addition to daily sports instruction/coaching campers may also choose from the following traditional camp activities: swimming, canoeing, hiking, fishing, arts & crafts, sports & games, archery, ropes course and environmental education.

HOPE for Kids will provide volunteers/mentors to guide and support participating youth. Lavner Camps & Programs will facilitate all sporting activities using its highly experienced, professional coaching staff and innovative curricula.  Valley Forge Educational Services will provide training and on-site support staff for all young athletes with identified special needs such as high-functioning Autism/Asperger’s Syndrome.

This innovative program is offered to youth at no cost to their families. It is funded entirely through grants, charitable donations and the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. Contact us to learn how you can support the “Have a Ball!” Sports Camp for “at-risk” youth.

About the Partners Involved:

Hope for Kids, Inc.’s Camp HOPE for Kids changes the lives of inner-city and underprivileged youth by harnessing the compassion and commitment of dedicated staff and volunteers. Youth receive environmental, health, and character education, mentoring and leadership training through camping experiences and the Saturday Academy, a community-center-based program.  Programs are free to participants and develop character, conflict resolution skills, self-confidence, self-respect and responsibility through engaging activities and mentoring. www.hopeforkids.org

Lavner Camps & Programs gives campers the opportunities to excel in a variety of sports. Private training, clinics, and camps operate year-round and have produced some of the top junior tennis players in the United States. Excellent staff and original, cutting-edge curricula lead to great results for campers. LCP is located on the Main Line in Bala Cynwyd, PA and serves campers from the Philly metro area, the U.S. and around the world. LCP provides a number of students with need-based scholarships each year to attend camps and receive private training. www.lavnercampsandprograms.com

Valley Forge Educational Services offers a wide variety of educational services focused on guiding learners to independence. VFES provides premier educational solutions for young children, adolescents and pre-21 adults ranging from K-12 school-based and summer programs to post high school (18-21) transition skills programming to clinical consultation services. VFES also offers professional support to organizations, schools and families through its Luma Center™ for Development and Learning, Conferences and Training, and Grant Writing service divisions. A significant part of the VFES mission statement involves generously sharing the knowledge and expertise of our staff in order to increase the awareness and understanding of children with special needs both nationally and globally. www.vfes.net

Partnership Contact Information:

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