Youth Services
Every summer, hundreds of local youth children come to one of Salvation Army’s ten Corps Community Center across the DMV. When there, the children participate in engaging and fun activities, within a safe and nurturing environment. This gives them a sanctuary to learn positive values and important life skills that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Most of these children come from families with a low-income background. These summer days at the Corps Community Centers give them the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities. The time spent at these centers allows the children to forget about their current circumstances at home and at school. Instead, they can focus on developing their talents in an enjoyable way. The Salvation Army is creating opportunities for the youth in our community daily.
These extra-curricular activities include music lessons, afterschool homework assistance, and chapter-building scouting programs. In addition, The Salvation Army runs children’s camps in Richardsville, VA over the summer.
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For more information about summer camps and our other year-long programming for children, please contact The Salvation Army location near you.
Learning Enrichment Centers
When Covid-19 began, many parents were left stranded between helping their children through virtual schooling and maintaining a job. To help these struggling parents, the Salvation Army Corps Community Centers began offering learning enrichment Centers. These centers allow for parents to drop-off their children for the school day so that they have a safe, fun, and reliable environment to continue school. To find a Learning Enrichment Center near you, please contact your local Salvation Army office.
Summer Camps
Campers participate in group activities and educational opportunities as well as enjoying the 180 acres of recreational amenities including archery, hiking, swimming, team sports, and a challenge high and low ropes course. Both programs are accredited by the American Camping Association*, a member of the Christian Camp & Conference Association, and participates in the USDA Summer Food Service Program.
The summer camp programs consists of week-long program sessions for children and teens from June through August.
Camp Happyland
Located about 70 miles south of Washington, D.C. in Richardsville, Virginia (Culpeper County), Camp Happyland, is a summer destination for youth from communities that the Salvation Army serves in the Washington, D.C. metro area, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Children learn about their faith through an enjoyable outdoor camping experience.
Camp Tomahawk
Located about 90 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. in Hedgesville, West Virginia, Camp Tomahawk is an extension of the ongoing religious and social programs offered by The Salvation Army Potomac Division. Since 1948, Camp Tomahawk’s summer program provides residential camping programs for members of The Salvation Army youth programs as well as offering additional camping programs for underprivileged youth ages 7 – 12 from metropolitan Baltimore, Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia
