The aim of Troy Camp is to provide a big brother/sister type of support group for the children who reside in the South Central Los Angeles community. Student volunteers help the children learn and grow by respecting the kids and assisting them in developing their own ideas, dreams, and goals. Troy Camp encourages and fosters youth leadership within these neighborhood kids.
Our Campers
Troy Camp revolves around the kids: they are our priority and our central passion! Our campers are third, fourth and fifth graders drawn from needy schools in the USC and downtown LA neighborhood. This year we drew from 15 schools, including USC's Family of Five. The campers are chosen by their teachers to turn in an application, picture, and an essay to Troy Camp, from which they are selected. In May 2006, we took 209 kids to camp.
Our Counselors
Our members are students of the University of Southern California who enjoy working with children and have a genuine interest in helping the community. We come from a wide variety of majors and interests that represent our diverse backgrounds.
Camp
Camp lasts for one week, near the end of May. Our current campsite is Idyllwild Pines in the San Jacinto Mountains. Camp is an amazing experience for all of the kids. Our camp activities include swimming, horseback riding, hiking, sports, arts and crafts, performing arts, spending a night under the stars, and, most importantly, water fights!
Yearlong Programming
Camp is only the beginning of the Troy Camp experience. Throughout the following school year, Troy Camp holds a Kids' Event one to two times a month. The activities range from attending USC football and basketball games, to Disneyland, to the LA Zoo, to a variety of holiday-themed events. Troy Camp also runs a Student Mentoring and After-School Help (SMASH) Program every day between five schools, where kids can come to do homework, spend time with their counselors, and do science and art projects.
