With students out of school during the summer break, many parents sought enrichment programs that would keep their children off the streets and engaged, and the summer camp offered by Feed the Lambs, a South County faith-based nonprofit, offered that and more.
Similar to the programs it offers during the school year, Feed the Lambs’ free, seven-week summer camp at Oslo Middle School has a goal of engaging, educating and empowering children through education and recreation.
In 2020, to comply with CDC guidelines and ensure the health and wellness of its campers during the pandemic, the nonprofit was compelled to cap participation at 40 students. It was a far cry from 2019, when the summer camp reached a record attendance of 125 students. John May, board president, said that this year they expected to register 50 children.
Children enrolled in kindergarten through eighth grade participate in recreational activities, math and reading tutoring, arts and crafts with weekly guest speakers, and field trips.
“We’re going to do most of our activities outside because of COVID-19,” said May. “We want to keep the kids outside having fun and getting them tired before they go home. We want to get them ready for the new school year.”
The program’s foundation is based on the three R’s – rules, responsibility and respect – according to Kenya May, program coordinator. They hope to instill in the children a sense of respect for themselves, so that they can then take on additional responsibilities as well as an appreciation for following the rules.
During the school year, Feed the Lambs provides afterschool tutoring and a mentorship program at Oslo Middle School, with sessions offered three days a week.
“We had 27 students that needed help to improve their grades,” said John May, referencing the 2020-21 school year. “We had a couple that were getting F’s, and they brought their grades up.”
He noted that 85 percent of the children in the program received math, reading and homework tutoring, and were passed through to the next grade level. The remaining 15 percent either didn’t return to the program after improving their grades or moved out of the area.
Looking to the future, Feed the Lambs hopes to expand its programs. John May was excited to share that they recently were able to purchase an acre of land in the Oslo area with a structure that they plan to renovate and add onto.
They anticipate that having their own facility will help to reduce costs and ensure the sustainability of their mission to provide free recreation, education and mentorship services to underprivileged children who would otherwise be unable to obtain these services.
Entirely reliant upon donations, fundraising and grants to run its programs, the nonprofit is actively seeking contributions toward construction costs for the new building.
“After 20 some years of moving around here and there, we will have everything that we need at our own facility to continue the important work we are doing,” said May.
While the program is open to children throughout Indian River County, most of the students that participate live in the Oslo area. Before Feed the Lambs settled into the South County area, May said there were no similar programs nearby.
“The kids need a place to come and be able to get an education, recreation and mentorship. Having a place to go, besides being out in the streets or sitting home all the time, can make a big difference in a child’s life,” added May.
For more information, visit feedthelambsep.com. To donate to the Building Fund, contact John May at 772-501-2617.
Photos by Kaila Jones
