The young residents of Camp Aspen in Columbia, South Carolina, learned a lesson in the importance of service to others on the “Seeds of HOPE-Through Acts of Kindness” Service Learning Project this spring. In conjunction with the local Rotary Group, juveniles from Camp Aspen joined other groups in an effort to reach out to children in Casares, Nicaragua that are experiencing hardships to offer a vision of hope and community with them.
“We are so proud to be a part of this unique opportunity that allows our young men at Camp Aspen to be ambassadors of hope,” said Dr. Bertee Thomas, Director of Reentry Services for the Eastern Region. “Camp Aspen residents made a tremendous effort by showing concern for others that are experiencing similar challenges far from home.”
The project was a collaboration between the Rotary Club and the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice, Samaritan’s Well, and A Place for Us Ministries. The young residents of Camp Aspen designed coloring books about Nicaragua and South Carolina that shares images and facts including the state bird, flag, culture, songs and additional information. Representatives of the Rotary Club then took the coloring books to Nicaragua to the children and shared the news about their journey upon return at an event at the Division of Juvenile Justice Job Readiness Training Center.
Director Moffitt took photos of the Camp Aspen residents holding lights as a symbol of lighting the way to hope for others that were shared with the children in Nicaragua.
“Our residents really went over and above to give hope to these children far away,” said Director Moffitt. “They were dedicated to the project and put a lot of work into creating the coloring books. They were uplifted by the positive experience and felt rewarded for their service beyond self.”
Camp Aspen is a community-based residential program that provides services to juvenile offenders that have been identified as needing substance abuse education and services. Focus is placed on treatment, educational training and community service. The residents and staff at Camp Aspen are deeply committed to the process of restorative justice. The importance of giving back to the community is acknowledged through various community service projects.
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