Our Community Cares Camp

Welcome to Our Community Cares Camp in Richmond, Vermont!

We offer children (ages 5 - 14) from Eastern Chittenden County (Richmond, Huntington, Bolton, Jericho and Underhill) Vermont the opportunity to enjoy healthy summer food and to participate in a free, fun and engaging summer day camp program on the grounds of the Camels Hump Middle School. Our camp provides the kids in our community with the chance to explore and be creative. We nourish the whole child in a caring environment. OCCC provides an opportunity for summer camp that would normally not be available to these local children. OCCC also offers internships to local teens to gain work experience as junior counselors or culinary interns.

About Our Cause

Food insecurity is defined as the lack of access to enough food to fully meet basic needs at all times due to lack of financial resources. Rarely do people associate food insecurity with America, but about 15% of Americans struggle with food insecurity. Our Community Cares Camp and many of our partner organizations are committed to help end food insecurity in Vermont.

Our Community Cares Camp also addresses the opportunity gap that arises when children from economically stressed families cannot afford the extra-curricula enrichment activities like music, art and sports that create a full and meaningful life. Children without summer enrichment activities may also experience an achievement gap, where they fall behind their peers in the summer and have a harder time catching up when school resumes.

Our Community Cares Camp is determined to not only help children in Eastern Chittenden County get the nutrition they need each summer, but also to create a warm, welcoming and enriching community where every child can find success.

What Stressors do Families Face?

It is a challenge to raise children in our rapidly changing world. When you face multiple stressors, like sickness, low income, family transitions or more,it gets harder. Check out this list to see what some CESU families are dealing with in their lives. OCCC can help by giving kids 4 weeks of food and fun in the summer in a caring and safe environment. .

Partner Violence
Family Violence
Substance Abuse
Trauma
Child Protection Concerns
Mental Health Issues
Housing Insecurity
Childcare Hardships
Caregivers not Biological Parents (e.g. grandparents)
Financial Stress
Food Insecurity
Transportation Barriers
Incarceration
Suicide or Suicide ideation
Self Harm

How to apply?

Do you know a child from Richmond, Bolton, Huntington, Jericho or Underhill, Vermont who might benefit from supportive and stimulating camp experience in our own community? If yes, please check out our Registration Information page to learn how.

Check out our newly updated staff page for pictures and bios of our talented and dedicated staff!

OCCC News

OCCC Annual Report Available

Follow this link to learn more about OCCC's accomplishments in 2017.

2017 Annual Report

Our Community Cares Camp Achieves Gold Level on Guidestar

OCCC was recently recognized for our transparency with a Gold Seal on our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile! GuideStar is the world’s largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. More than 8 million visitors per year and a network of 200+ partners use GuideStar data to grow support for nonprofits. In order to get the Gold Seal, OCCC shared important information with the public using our profile on www.guidestar.org.
Now our community members and potential donors can find in-depth information about our goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress. We’re shining a spotlight on the difference we help make in the world. Check out our GuideStar Nonprofit Profile and tell us what you think: [ww.guidestar.org/profile/26-4398448]

Camp Dates for 2018

Camp dates for 2018 will be July 9 to August 2, 2018. Camp will return to a 12:30 end time. Applications will only be available from CESU schools in 2018, Look for them starting in February, 2018.