Philanthropy and Summer Fun Collide at Camp Give
Campers smile after volunteering together at New Life Furniture Bank.
Summer 2022 belongs to the next generation of philanthropists. This summer, Magnified Giving brought together several local nonprofits to teach youth about philanthropy and giving through our fun, engaging, and inspiring summer camp, Camp Give. Camp Give is a hands-on service camp to engage kids and their families in meaningful philanthropy education.
For summer 2022, Magnified Giving partnered with several local nonprofit organizations for all four weeks of Camp Give, including A Child’s Hope International, Valley Interfaith Community Resource Center, Pet Partners of Greater Cincinnati, New Life Furniture Bank, and 1N5 Mental Health.
During a break from summer fun outside, campers paint “Kindness Rocks” for 1N5.
The first week of camp took place June 13-17th, and thirteen campers, entering grades 5-7, participated in a variety of fun, creative, and philanthropy-related activities, as well as engaging in multiple service projects and site visits. For example, at New Life Furniture Bank, campers prepared linen bags and boxes of dishes and household items to donate to families in the Greater Cincinnati community. Valley Interfaith Community Resource Center gave the youth the opportunity to pack and organize food for clients and families in need. Finally, 1N5, a mental health advocacy organization, visited camp and discussed the importance of practicing personal wellness. Campers also painted Kindness Rocks to assist 1N5 with an upcoming event. “I am so energized by the campers’ desire and enthusiasm to volunteer. Leading service during Camp Give allows us to see first hand how much youth enjoy giving back,” says Alison Kaufman, Magnified Giving Director of Programs. “At their young age it is our duty as adults to lead them to the opportunities. They WANT to make a difference and HELP, we just have to encourage them.”
Other activities throughout the week included making homemade dog treats for the SPCA, playing a round of mini-golf at the Acres, enjoying outdoor games, competing in many rounds of Uno, and creating a number of art projects including pipe cleaner worlds, posters, and cardboard towers. The games, crafts, and activities help create a bond between the youth, making service time even more fun and special. Magnified Giving Program Intern, Andrea, said, “Most of them didn't know each other before coming to the camp. The second they were asked to help others, they transformed into this united front whose mission was to give their best in helping as much as possible.”
“The most impactful part of Camp Give for me is seeing the transformation of the campers throughout the week. To witness their growth as young philanthropists and see their compassion for others grow is a gift,” Alison said.
Week two consisted of nine ambitious and compassionate campers eager to learn more about their community and the organizations that serve it. During the second week of camp, the youth returned to New Life Furniture Bank to continue the last group’s work and volunteered their time to pack boxes and bags of linens and dishes. They also visited A Child’s Hope International, received a tour of the Hands Against Hunger facility, and volunteered by putting together high protein meal packets for impoverished children. Additionally, Pet Partners of Cincinnati brought a few furry friends for a visit, and participants had the opportunity to make them homemade treats.
Along with all of these fun experiences, campers also took advantage of the beautiful weather and enjoyed playing four-square, kickball, mini golf, and other outdoor games. They also painted piggy banks for the Ronald McDonald House, decorated birdhouses highlighting social causes that are important to them, completed woodworking and string art projects, and facilitated peer interviews with the generous help of Steve Oldfield of Spectrum News. “It was really wonderful to witness the campers using their time and talents to benefit others, and it was evident that they really loved doing it,” said Rachel Plum, Magnified Giving Communication Intern.
Steve Oldfield shares about his visit to Camp Give here and created a wonderful video that was featured on Spectrum News. He lended his expertise to help the youth of week 2 grow in their interviewing and filming skills while creating a special video. At the end of each week, the youth showcased all of their hard work to their parents, families, and friends through presentations about each organization they visited and served. Week one campers chose to summarize the week through creative posters while week two participants decided to take a different approach and stage a fun and creative news segment video presentation.
During the first two weeks of Camp Give, participants awarded a total of $1,100 to local nonprofit organizations. Each camper was given $50 of their camp tuition to grant to organizations that they have learned about throughout the week. The youth chose how to split up those funds based on the organizations they were the most impacted by. A few of the recipients included 1N5, A Child’s Hope International, and Pet Partners of Greater Cincinnati. Alison Kaufman says, “I truly hope the campers remember that they are young philanthropists and continue the work we started during our week of camp.”