Summer is almost at a close, but the fun for the campers at Kingdom House will continue.
On Thursday, Kingdom House had its end of the year celebration at the Emerson Performance Center on the campus of Harris-Stowe State University. Students, ranging from ages 6 to 18, took the stage like true professionals performing hits from Michael Jackson and Ray Charles.
One of those small pieces of talent was 10-year-old Taylor Powell, who stole the show with the drama “Talk to Me.” Performing on stage is an opportunity that many of these kids wouldn’t get if it weren’t for Kingdom House.
“It’s a need for good programs to help kids grow up and be responsible,” said
Antwine Rook, director of neighborhood services. “With programs like ours, we can keep them off drugs and the street.”
Kingdom House is a United Way agency that has been a safe haven for residents of the Near South Side Neighborhood since 1902. Out of its building at 1321 South 11th Street, the center houses an accredited daycare, a food pantry and a thrift store. A licensed social worker and English translators are on staff to provide family support services and assist with the community’s growing Hispanic and Afghani populations.
The center works with 12th and Park Recreation to provide the summer day camp. Older kids go to 12th and Park, while the younger ones stay at Kingdom House.
“My favorite thing is when we get to move around and do the activities,” Powell said.
This summer, campers partook in a number of activities including African Dance and learned about saving the world’s rainforests. The camp was topped off with field trips to the St. Louis Zoo, City Museum and an overnight camping trip.
The summer camp continues to grow each year thanks to funding from the United Way of Greater St. Louis, Citi, Youth Opportunity Program, St. Louis RAC, Purina, Redbird Rookies, HSSU and Golf Foundation of America. This year, 327 kids applied but only 200 could be accepted in the camp, Rook said.
He credits the program’s success to his staff made up of mostly coaches, teachers, high schoolers and college students.
“For me, I love the kids,” said Program Manager Kevin Robinson who works as a special education teacher at Soldan High School during the school year.
Typically, kids go to Kingdom House as youth and then return to serve as peer counselors and group leaders, Robinson said.
For Terrell Brown, whom campers call “Noodle” (his camp name), the camaraderie is what keeps him coming back every year. He went to Kingdom House as a seventh grader and now serves as a group leader, overseeing at least 15 children at a time.
“When you see a kid and they first experience something new, it will stick with them for the rest of their life,” Brown said.
Although last week was the end of camp, Kingdom House still has many programs available to kids who want something to do during August and the school year.
Youth get free lessons in tutoring, health, art, computers, finances and diversity, and they are offered a variety of organized recreational sports during the school year. Next up, the kids will partner with the community for their annual Drug-Free March through the neighborhood.
“I like going to the computer lab and to the park,” said Leah Herron, 8. Although it’s her first year at Kingdom House, it certainly won’t be her last. She said she’d be back next year.
For more information, call 314-421-0400 or go to www.kingdomhouse.org.