2020 Brownsville Impact Report 

Camp Good Sam is a six-week summer learning program for at-risk youth in Brownsville focused on reducing the "summer slide." Students lose some of the achievement gains they made during the previous school year when they are not actively engaged during the summer. Camp Good Sam reduces summer learning loss by incorporating the reading of a popular, young-adult fiction series. In the summer of 2020, our program served 3rd through 8th grade Brownsville ISD students at Incarnate Word Academy and featured the Story Thieves book series. Activities are designed to support educational achievement, encourage healthy decisions, explore college and career pathways, develop leaders, and engage families.

 

 

Camp Good Sam Brownsville

Year Established: 2016
Theme: Story Thieves
Location: Incarnate Word Academy 
Dates:  June 8 - June 29, 2020
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and snack provided 
Ages: 3rd through 8th grade students 

YOUR IMPACT

Impact Story

Nathan R., 13 years old. Nathan is is in eighth grade and a first time attendee at Camp Good Sam. Although staff did not know Nathan before he arrived at Camp, they noted that he felt comfortable enough in the camp environment to share personal stories with his class and felt very comfortable with the way his class reacted and supported him. The student mentioned that before coming to camp he was having a hard time at home with his mother and felt lonely at times. Nathan would come to class eager to have another conversation with his new friends. He also showed motivation to participate in the lessons, encouraging his class to join as well. While staff noted that he initially showed insecurity and doubt when it came to himself, he began to show manners and respects toward his actions which staff believe was motivated by his life experiences. Staff also noted that Nathan's mother shared that she was in shock that the student would go home excited to talk about what he had learned in camp that day and began to show more interest in school, specifically with his least favorite subject, math.

Camp Good Sam Brownsville Media

Staff

Cruz H. Torres, YAC Coordinator
Allan Hernandez, YAC Coordinator
Nancy Garcia, Data Clerk
Orlando Martinez, Youth Service Specialist
Brittany Mendez, Youth Service Specialist
Megan Lopez, Youth Service Specialist
Marby Shaw, Assistant Director of Youth and Teen Services
Ale N. Arquisola, Senior Director of Youth and Teen Services
Simon Salas, Chief Executive Officer
   

OUR PARTNERS

 
 
To donate to Good Samaritan Community Services click HERE!

For more information about the Good Samaritan Community Services - Brownsville programs, please contact Cruz Torres at cruz.razo@goodsamtx.org.

To become a volunteer, contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 210-434-5531 or volunteer.coordinator@goodsamtx.org.