June 9, 2026
From the Summer Camp Archives: Danielle
More than a decade ago, Danielle, a young volunteer, boarded a plane to Saint Marc, Haiti. She was one of many volunteers recruited by the Archdiocese of Baltimore Missions Office to spend one week in July running a summer camp for the children in Haiti. She would teach, play, and build friendships across cultural lines that she didn’t even know could dissolve so completely.
She came home changed. And she wrote about it.
Why are we pulling this from the archive?
Because summer camp is still happening in Haiti, the camp has been carried forward by our Haitian volunteers and staff for the past several years instead of American volunteers. This year, we need your help to make it happen.
Right now, it’s not safe for US volunteers to travel to Haiti. The mission trips that once brought Danielle and dozens of others to Saint Marc every July are on hold. We have hope that one day we will be able to go back.
But the children of Good Samaritans School are still there. And this summer, their teachers, staff, and alumni — people who grew up at this very school — are returning to run camp themselves, because they remember what it meant to them.
That’s the spirit Danielle wrote about in 2010. Read her words, written fifteen years ago. They feel just as urgent today.
Making Friends
By Danielle F. – Summer 2010
The children of Good Samaritans School, the poorest of the poor, people with virtually nothing, have so much more love, happiness and joy than I could ever hope to have. Luckily for me, I had the honor and privilege of meeting these wonderful people, and they have helped me see what is truly important.
Little Benadiane taught me to see the importance of brightening everyone’s day. With the warmth of her little smile, my day was made, and happiness truly did fill my heart.
Adeline taught me to always have the strength to face life. Despite the adversity she has been through – so much pain and suffering – she still finds the passion in life and loves everyone with ferocity and brings so much joy to the room when she enters.
I won’t soon forget Kenny and the excitement we shared when our team won a game of basketball. That little boy will warm my heart forever.
I have a newfound friend named Tamara, who taught me that cultural borders can be broken down to form friendships that will last a lifetime.
We have a duty to help our brothers and sisters who are struggling. My trip to Haiti ignited fire and passion in me, and I hope everyone finds this passion one day, too.
This summer, 200 children will have the chance to run around, laugh, make art, sing songs, play soccer, go on field trips, and just be kids, from July 6 through August 4. For many of them, camp is also their only reliable daily meal and their most secure place all summer long.
Danielle met Benadione, Adeline, Kenny, and Tamara in just one week. One week was enough to change her life. Imagine what a full summer means to a child who has weathered a hard year.
You may not be able to travel to Saint Marc this July, but you can still show up for these kids.
$27 sends a child in Haiti to summer camp for one week.
$108 sends a child to the entire camp!