The Good Neighbors Program

During the 3-week summer school session at Burnt Chminey and Dudley elementary schools in Franklin County and Body Camp, Moneta and Huddleston elementary schools in Bedford County, the Good Neighbors program provides approximately 250 children with nutritious lunches.  In partnership with Lake Christian Ministries, the food is packed, delivered and distributed by volunteers at the end of each day's session.  On Fridays, a backpack filled with food for six meals and a new book is given to each child to take home.

Beginning in mid-June, a 4-week Good Neighbors day camp is offered for fifty rising 1st through 4th graders in the Franklin County schools, followed by a 4-week camp for the Bedford schools in mid-July.

Each day's activities begin at 9 a.m. with singing and settling in, followed by stories emphasizing the values of the biblical Good Samaritan and other similar examples in literature.  The daily curriculum further emphasizes values such as nonviolence, accepting diversity, compassion, honesty and integrity.

The children are then paired with volunteers who provide one-on-one reading guidance.  After lunch, the children enjoy art, music, writing and other useful life skills.  The daily session ends at 3 p.m.