Swimming, arts and crafts and games are just some of the activities that children can enjoy at summer camp being offered by Hearts In Hands Community Center, located in Indian Run Village, 1 Lenape Way, Honey Brook.

Summer camp, open to children entering kindergarten through sixth grade, will be held from Monday, July 11, to Thursday, July 21, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The camp will take place at the community center on Mondays and Wednesdays and at Hibernia Park, 1 Park Road, Coatesville, on Thursdays.

Not only does the camp offer summer fun, but it is designed as a way for children to expand their educational and social skills. "We are focusing on the social and emotional issues this year," said Dawn Marie Schell, community center founder and CEO. "Because of COVID, some of the kids are having communication issues. They are used to being on the computer or not talking at all. They are not communicating the way they used to. We don't have electronic (devices) at camp."

The camp is led by adult counselors as well as teenagers from the community, including lifeguards who provide the campers with swimming lessons. "Most of our counselors and our lifeguards are children who were once campers," Schell noted. "Hearts In Hands sponsors the lifeguards. We pay for their certification and RHG Management gives them a summer job."

A former teacher, Schell founded the Hearts In Hands Community Center about six years ago as a way to provide educational, physical and spiritual support programs for those in need, including the people living in modular home communities situated in the Honey Brook, Downingtown and Coatesville triangle primarily located along the Route 322 corridor.

However, activities, especially summer camp, are open to the community. "We want kids from anywhere to come and join. Our goal is to build stronger community connections," Schell stated. "This is an opportunity for them to make new friendships."

Hearts In Hands offers a variety of programs, such as Lego Club and a Pee-Wee Princess Club for 3-year-olds through kindergartners. It also provides information to residents about community resources, such as area food banks. A food pantry box is located outside the community center where people can pick up free, nonperishable food items.

"We offer teen programs and programs for adults and children throughout the whole year," said Schell. "We partner with 4-H for some programs. (The programs) are open to anybody."

The community center, which offered limited programming during the pandemic, received an upgrade, and a grand opening event was held in March. "We (installed) a new floor, painted and freshened it up some and got new tables and chairs," Schell noted. "We wanted everyone to know that we are back and opening up our programs again."

For more information about summer camp and other programming offered at the center or to register for camp, visit http://www.heartsinhands.net or call the Hearts In Hands office at 610-942-4039.