Generous donations from the community make dreams of summer camp come true.

Staring in June, summer campers ages 6 to 18 will gather at The Salvation Army, 239 Third Ave., East, Hendersonville, kiss their loved ones goodbye and climb on a bus headed for a week of camp at The Salvation Army’s Camp Walter Johnson, a 250 acre camp in Denton, N.C.

Each day, campers build lifelong friendships, reconnect with nature, and participate in action-packed activities that help them face challenges, develop confidence, and learn valuable life lessons.

Sending kids to Camp Walter Johnson is a long-time tradition of The Salvation Army. Since 1974, Camp Walter Johnson has impacted the lives of more than 55,000 children throughout North and South Carolina.

Camp Walter Johnson offers one week camping sessions for children ages 6-18 and a five-week music conservatory program for children ages 10-17.

Children who attend Camp Walter Johnson come from many socioeconomic backgrounds, and in some cases, from unhealthy family or neighborhood environments. The Salvation Army’s goal is to make sure that every child has the opportunity to attend camp because of generous donors who make the dream of summer camp available to all children.

If you would like to help, send donations to The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 2387, Hendersonville, NC 28739 or call 828-693-4181.

“In today’s challenging economy, summer camp is a distant dream for many children,” said Major Brian Gilliam, commanding officer for The Salvation Army of Hendersonville. “Because of the kindness of countless donors, The Salvation Army can help make that dream come true.”

Your donation makes a difference for children and their families; it can change lives. For information about Camp Walter Johnson or sponsoring a camper, visit sendakidto.camp.

–Submitted by Bill Bricker