Children's Shelter Offers Free Overnight Summer Camps

The Florida Keys Children’s Shelter has announced that there are limited spaces available for their upcoming free summer camp program. The “Jelsema Journey” camp is a program for Monroe County at-risk youth, ages 10-17, with several one-week sessions offered June through August at the Melvin M. Jelsema Center in Tavernier.

“We are happy to make this special experience available at no cost to qualifying youth,” said Residential Coordinator, Nathaly Milla. “The first session begins on May 27th, continued weekly all summer and the last session begins on July 22nd.” Daily outings to Marine Lab, rollerblading, water sports, ice skating, yoga, Zoo Miami, Everglades Alligator Farm and glass-bottom boat rides are partially funded by a grant from the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys. Recreation, life skills and educational programming are made possible with funding from the Ocean Reef Community Foundation. All other costs, including free transportation to and from the Lower and Middle Keys, are covered by the Keys Children’s Foundation, the Helen’s Hope Foundation, along with county, state, and federal grants.
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Youth at risk of making bad decisions, or who would benefit from a supervised, structured environment are invited to apply for the free camp. For more information, contact Nathaly at (305) 906.2060 or Karen at (305) 848.3808.
 
About the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter
 “Safe Kids, Strong Families, and a Healthy Community” drives every facet of the Florida Keys Children’s Shelter programming. Serving Monroe County for 35 years, the nonprofit changes the lives of more than 500 youth annually with its free programs including an emergency shelter, transitional living programs, community-based counseling, and drop-in center for homeless and run-away youth. For information, visit www.FKCS.org or call (305) 852.4246.