Every year, children and families in Port-Salut and the surrounding mountains look forward to one special event: Summer Camp at the Learning Center. As early as April, parents and kids begin asking, “When will summer camp start? When can I register?” Their anticipation speaks to how meaningful these weeks are, not only for fun, but for the growth, learning, and sense of community it brings.
This summer, more than 648 children ages 6–16 participated in five weeks of camp: three weeks at the Learning Center in Port-Salut, and two weeks in the mountain communities of Campeche and Sapotille.
Summer camp is designed to be more than games and activities. Guided by our values of faith, education, and moral integrity, we strive to help children discover their talents, gain new skills, and grow into responsible citizens.
Each day began with attendance at the gate, a time of prayer, and morning exercises. From there, students explored a variety of lessons and activities that helped them develop both practical skills and strong character.
Social Media: Responsible and safe use of digital platforms, led by a technology professional.
Sexual Education: Respect, awareness, and healthy choices, taught by a nurse.
Civism: Understanding citizenship, responsibility, and national pride.
The Importance of Education: Encouraging love for learning, respect for teachers, and perseverance.
Children’s Rights and Responsibilities: Learning both what rights they hold and how to act responsibly.
Mental Health: Coping strategies for stress and emotional well-being, guided by a psychologist.
Business Initiation: Introduction to entrepreneurship and creativity, taught by a business manager.
Alongside these lessons, children enjoyed competitions, arts and crafts, singing, sports, and team-building games. Each smiling face and classroom interaction reflected the joy of being together, learning, and discovering new strengths.
The heart of camp is always best expressed through the voices of the children themselves:
“Every summer vacation, my friends and I wait for one thing: summer camp. Without it, there’s no fun, no interaction.” — Wool Valcourt
“The singing competition helped me discover my talent. I was very shy before, but the helpers encouraged me, and I won! Now I sing in my church.” — Renalda Pierre
“During camp, I learned to draw. I drew a flower for my dad. Next year, I want to draw a flower for my mom.” — Kenslie Mondesir
Former students also returned to inspire the next generation. One alumna, Brunine Einstein Pointe-Jour, who once studied English at the Learning Center, came back as a guest speaker. She reflected:
“A little over seven years ago, I walked through these doors as a learner. With deep emotion, I returned as a speaker to share about social media with more than 200 young people. It was a privilege and a joy.”
In Campeche and Sapotille, 170 children took part in camp for the very first time. These mountain camps hold special importance because many children in rural areas often feel forgotten or lack access to meaningful opportunities.
Local leaders, pastors, and community members partnered with us to make camp possible. The activities included spelling contests, reading challenges, vocabulary games, and singing competitions—all designed to build confidence and skills. For the boys, soccer tournaments were a highlight, with the final match celebrated like a championship.
As Nadine, one of the camp leaders, shared:
“The summer camp was very successful. The children were happy, the community was happy. They really enjoyed having the summer camp in their locality.”
This year’s summer camp was more than just five weeks of fun. It was a time of personal growth, community building, and hope. For many children, especially those in rural communities, it was a chance to feel valued, loved, and seen.
We believe the seeds planted this summer will continue to grow, shaping future leaders who will positively impact their communities and our nation.
A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who made it possible for 648 children to experience the joy of camp this year. With your support, we look forward to continuing summer camps and other programs, like Christmas celebrations, so that even more children in Haiti can dream big and know they are not forgotten.