Profile: Camp Harbor View

   Camp Harbor View is located on Long Island, one of the Boston Harbor’s 34 Islands. Working with the City of Boston and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, the camp provides kids of at-risk neighborhoods around Boston with a very special summer experience. 800 children, ages 11-14, participate in the four week sessions. The total cost of sending a camper to the program is $5. Each day buses pick up kids from 14 different locations around the city and return them after dinner (the bus rides have no additional expense). With a beautiful view, great facilities, and tons of activities each day, campers enjoy all that Harbor View has to offer.

     Save the Harbor/ Save the Bay is proud to contribute to the program. SHSB staff members provide opportunities for kids to learn about the water and its wildlife and also teach kids about the harbor’s history; specifically, the history of long island. Kids can sign up for fishing club, or can come and watch as a lobster trap is pulled up onto the dock. Even if the lobster trap is only filled with crabs, campers learn about the harbor’s different crab species and about catching lobsters. SHSB staff members are also known to arrive with surprise harbor finds such as a 10 lb lobster or different types of fish. Through each new learning experience, the kids gain a better understanding of their city’s harbor and all of the fun and excitement they have access to.

    In our time at the camp we participated in fishing club. Each camper got their own fishing rod and cast without any guidance. As they fished, they laughed at the antics of kayaking club which was going by below the docks. It was clear that the atmosphere was relaxed and peaceful, that is, until someone caught a fish!

-Alyssa and Bridget