Kids Give Back: What it is, why we do it, and why do we care?

I love everything we do at camp. I love the kids, I love the staff, I love the programs – everything. But one thing we do that is particularly close to my heart is Kids Give Back. This is our annual fundraiser which directly involves the kids (and staff), and it encourages them to think about those living very different lives than their own. Kids Give Back has been running since 2012, and we have been honored to support a variety of organizations in Jesus’ name. 

This year, Kids Give Back is supporting families who were forced to flee their homes in Ukraine and are now trying to get back on their feet in our neighborhoods. Their road has been long: for example, one family has a three-year-old boy who lived two years in Ukraine, six months in the Netherlands as a refugee, and is now living in Southampton. They, along with at least two other families, are being supported by Davisville Church as they work to get established with housing and jobs. We have partnered with Davisville Church to help with some of the families’ financial needs, such as paying for preschool or housing, through Kids Give Back. 

The Kids Give Back fundraiser runs from the second week of camp until the final week of camp. Each Tuesday we explain the fundraiser to the campers, and the staff and campers “compete” by turning in cash, checks, or spare change to the collection bin. (Parents can also participate by adding to the kids’ collections at check-in and check-out.) On Friday we announce whether kids or staff collected more for the cause! While the feeling of competition helps to keep the fundraiser exciting, there is no pressure to participate and no prizes for whichever group collects more.

At the end of the summer, we will announce the total amount we raised. I am always humbled to see how kids are so generous with their money in support of others’ needs. Rarely does anyone care about who “won,” the competition. They are excited about how much we were able to give to the cause. And that’s really what makes me excited about this program. So many of us can quote the verse where Jesus says, “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40) The Kids Give Back program gives our campers a way to get excited about serving our brothers and sisters in a tangible way, and they always respond! 

If you would like to support the Kids Give Back program, talk with your kids about Jesus’ commandments to love others and about how sometimes love needs action. You can also contribute financially to Kids Give Back at check-in and check-out by dropping off cash or a check in your kid’s name. If you would prefer to give to Davisville Church directly, please send your checks to Davisville Church, 325 Street Road, Southampton, PA 18966 and write “refugee fund” in the check’s memo line.