It was late winter six years ago when a small group met in the Middlebury church downstairs room to consider what could be done during the summer for area children who were dependent on free or reduced price school lunches for much of their daily nutrition.  We’ve come a long way since those early days!  Now there’s an all-day camp serving breakfast and lunch, organic gardening, hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, and much, much more.  Last summer we served 68 different children for a total of 167 “kid weeks” and received rave reviews from children and parents alike. 

This is a big effort from a small group of community volunteers—we need to raise $20,000 each year; hire a director and counselors;  provide expert leadership and safety training for biking and water sports; and find volunteers to help our campers with meal preparation, gardening, or accompany them and their leaders on bike hikes.  

If you like being with kids and have a few hours or several days to help out, or if you have a special skill to share with our campers, please speak with either Bonnie Totten Adkins or Janet Cornell to volunteer.

Open to all youngsters having completed 3^rd grade through 6^th grade, we particularly encourage those campers who are eligible for free and reduced price lunches during the school year.  This summer, our campers will enjoy adventure-based physical activities, grow lots of their own food, prepare their own breakfasts and lunches, serve their community through weekly visits to Helen Porter Rehabilitation Center, and provide trail maintenance through collaboration with the Middlebury Area Land Trust.  If you know youngsters who would benefit from MiddSummer Camp, contact Mary Gill or Amy Ruck at Mary Hogan School (388-4421) for a registration form. 

Individuals and organizations help in so many ways, and we express our deep appreciation for the funding we receive; for the loyal support of the volunteers who work throughout the year to provide this program; for those folks in churches who prepare lunches at CVOEO and bake muffins for us to sell at the Memorial Day Parade; and for those who volunteer to work directly with the campers.  To offer your support in any way, or to learn more about MiddSummer Camp, contact Janet Cornell (247-3897) or hcornell@together.net.