The Volunteer Center

Campers: In their own words

Tell us two things you learned this summer:

Seniors value attention and you can even make a difference with small contributions.
Days End Farm always needs volunteers to help out with past-abused and neglected horses.
I can make a difference without money.
I learned how much each project (even the smaller ones) could help a lot.
Don't let old people know that they said something already because it will make them feel bad.
There are many ways to help your community.
What you want to do may not be what they need you to do.
I learned that some issues are worse than we think, because we're so used to it. Also, I learned about Days End and decided to volunteer there.
Many reasons why people are homeless
That chestnut trees are dying
How many problems can tie into each other
The smallest bit of volunteering makes a difference.
Recognize the trees which can do harm to the environment
Be patient.

If you were talking with a reporter, what would you want to say about your summer with Camp Make a Difference?

I would say CMAD actually does help people and makes a difference.
It was inspiring and motivational; made me want to take it again
It was fun and worth the work.
Camp Make a Difference was a fun and great camp that also allowed everyone to feel important while doing a lot of different and meaningful community service projects.
It was so much fun, everyone should try it, and that there are tons of volunteer activities to do. Also that we made a difference.
It gave me volunteering ideas.
I would say my summer was really awesome.
The camp was fun and the counselors made it more fun. It was a good experience with volunteering.
Such a good place to be and fun way to spend the summer. I loved it!
It helped me to understand more what volunteering actually feels like.
It's time to make a difference.
It's good and meaningful.
It was amazing.
It was fun and I made a lot of friends while helping the community.
Small things make a difference.
Everyone needs someone to listen to them.
It was a lot of fun and life-changing.
I learned about homelessness in Howard County.
It is a great camp and it makes you feel like you did something important.
It was the best camp ever.

Camp Make a Difference 2013

Grades 6-9 • Youth & Teen Center Oakland Mills Village Center •
Extended Care: Youth & Teen Center
CA Resident $255; Non-Resident $270
4 separate one-week sessions
July 8-12 • July 15-19 • July 22-26 • July 29-Aug 2

For the camp that has it all, look no further! Our camp is a unique combination of recreational and volunteer experiences designed to give every child an opportunity to make new friends, have fun, and feel good about what they’re doing in the summertime.

Each week, campers will participate in a minimum of four community service projects while also learning about volunteer opportunities for teens in Howard County. Camp Make a Difference has volunteered at Grassroots, the Howard County Conservancy, Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Ellicott City Senior Center Plus, the Howard County Food Bank, and more.

But we don't forget about the fun - campers swim twice per session, play games, and enjoy a Friday Field Trip. Field Trip locations may include Six Flags America, Cameron Run Water Park, Sandy Point State Park, Dave and Busters, North Beach, and more. Hope to see you this summer for friends, fun, and feel good service!

What to Bring: In addition to a non-perishable lunch and snack, campers need to bring a swimsuit and towel daily.

From the Columbia Association Camps Brochure (pdf, pages 24 & 25)
More information available on the Columbia Association Camps website.

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THANK YOU to all of the campers, partners and staff who made Camp Make a Difference 2012 such a success!

Special thanks to this year's nonprofit partners who so graciously hosted our campers for projects:
Grassroots Crisis Intervention, Howard County Conservancy, Days End Farm Horse Rescue, and the Howard County Office on Aging.

Stay tuned for information about Camp Make a Difference 2013.

You can also check the Columbia Association Camps website.

Previous Years of Camp Make a Difference

Campers (grades 6-9) typically start the week by learning about volunteering, then visit four or five different agencies addressing social issues including poverty, animal welfare, the environment, and aging. The week includes guided reflection, recreational activities and resources encouraging campers to continue their commitment to service after camp ends.

In the past we've offered four one-week sessions open to campers grades 6-9.

But don’t take it from us – listen to what campers said in their own words in this excellent video from HoCoMoJo.

Nonprofit and governmental agencies that have hosted campers in the past include: Grassroots, Community Action Council of Howard County, Days End Farm Horse Rescue, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Howard County Conservancy, and the Howard County Office on Aging.

Confirmation

Campers: In their own words

Camp Make a Difference 2013

Previous Years of Camp Make a Difference