Imagine, for the first time in your life, being in a place at night where you can't hear any traffic or television sets. For some kids, it's frightening — at first. But those kids are the same ones that don't want to go when it is time to leave summer camp.

At-risk kids in the Long Beach area are sent to one of five accredited summer camp programs for five to seven days with the help of the Long Beach Press-Telegram Send A Kid To Camp Fund, which is supported by the Long Beach Community Foundation and Press-Telegram readers.

While away, children may camp out or stay in cabins. They hike, gather around campfires, learn about nature, and keep their campsites clean. Activities include arts and crafts, archery, swimming, boating, and singing and performing skits together. One camp even has a horseback riding program. Even simple things — such as seeing a night sky full of stars for the first time — can be a life-changing experience.

Sending a kid to camp allows them to take on healthy challenges — a change from the typical difficult choices faced by inner-city youth.

Counselors with backgrounds in education, camping, and child development work with those who have grown up attending the camps to help kids make the most of their time away...and not to be frightened by the sound of crickets.

• Donate to the Long Beach Press-Telegram Send A Kid To Camp Fund

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