About Us:History
Also in 2006, the Mission was able to begin offering summer camps to continue providing summer camp opportunities for the children. In past summers, the Mission children were invited to Vacation Bible School held at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. But quickly, the Mission recognized the need for summer academic support as well. Through a partnership with The Episcopal Church of the Atonement, summer academic camp programs were offered at their facility staffed by volunteers from its membership and with their financial support.
Today, the Mission offers a 6-week summer camp full of fun activities. At camp, the kids are encouraged to keep their academic skills sharp with reading practice, math games and language arts reviews. Once the reviews are done, the real fun begins! There are arts & craft activities, games & relays, swimming, field trips and lots more! The camp, provided at no charge to the participants, is often one of the only options for summer activities for most of the children whose families cannot afford other options.
In the 2009-10 school year, Mount Vernon Baptist Church invited the Mission to use its children's ministry building as a resource. This generous offering provided much-needed space allowing the program to grow to support 90 kids. There is a gymnasium, athletic fields and playgrounds for recreation as well as rooms for each grade level making study time much quieter and organized.
And in the 2010-11 school year, the Mission launched its new Life Skills Program aimed at students in grades 6-12. The Life Skills project expands the already successful services the Mission provides to increase the likelihood that our participants will ultimately attain a highschool diploma. We target the older children currently enrolled in the After School Program as well as past Mission participants who are currently enrolled in high school (Mission alumnae). The Life Skills series is offered on Thursday and Friday afternoons separate from the primary After School Program.
Included in the Life Skills series are the following:
- Study and Organization Skills
- Path to College - SAT prep
- Sex Education
- Drug and Gang Prevention
- Dress for Success/Etiquette Class
- Bi-annual Parent Seminar