By Daily Press staff
The Santa Monica Kiwanis Club has pooled the resources of its service agency members to create a character development camp for Santa Monica middle school students.
On Aug. 28, 50 middle school students left for a week-long program in Big Bear. The Santa Monica Kiwanis Club and affiliated social service agencies donated all of the costs.
A partnership between the Santa Monica Kiwanis Club and the UCLA/Santa Monica Hospital provided pediatric exams for 20 students who did not have access to medical care. The instruction was provided by the Santa Monica YMCA, Santa Monica YWCA, Santa Monica Police Activities League, Boys and Girls Club of Santa Monica and the Santa Monica Red Cross.
In addition to regular camp activities, the campers were taught skills in teamwork, self-esteem, tolerance for other people’s differences, how to overcome taunting and prejudice, and appreciation for community service.
The Santa Monica Kiwanis Club specifically selected kids from challenging backgrounds and at particularly vulnerable times in their lives. It is the hope of the Santa Monica Kiwanis Club that other Kiwanis Clubs and social service agencies will adopt the pilot program, officials said.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 13, 2004. Read the original PDF.