More than 60 Los Angeles area orphans and homeless children were treated to a day of music, art, career development and fun on July 4 at Cali-Camp, a 20-acre day camp in the mountains of Topanga.
When the children arrived at the camp they completed a questionnaire about their personal goals and aspirations; what they wanted to do when they grow up, their favorite thing to learn and what they want to study in college.
Then it was off to the stage area for a little happiness counseling and music to start the day.
After the wilderness hike and animal introductions (the children pet horses and were introduced to farm animals), the children were given a motivational speech and career development counseling by officers from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department as well as from the local Fire Department.
After many questions from the children interested in police work, the swimming pool was opened.
Lifeguards gave swim lessons to a group of 13- and 14-year-olds that did not know how to swim.
Other groups of children got to do various activities, including climbing to the top of the 40-foot ropes challenge course, acrylic painting, playing musical instruments for the first time and making wooded treasure chests and jewelry boxes coached by German master craftsman Joachim Weisel, head of the SHK Trade School Development department.
As lunchtime rolled around, the children were treated to a Fourth of July barbeque feast of hamburgers, chicken and hot dogs, sponsored by local businesses and community members.
After lunch, some children took surf lessons, others went fishing in the pond, but most enjoyed the Safety Harbor Kids Talent Contest in which they participated in a dance-off and singing performances. Soon, it was time to leave and the children were given gifts of hats donated by Levity, and backpacks with school supplies donated by community members.
Safety Harbor Kids’ next special event is the Malibu Community Picnic on Aug. 24.
For more information, go to www.SafetyHarborKids.org for more info.