If not for the Summer My Way program, 15-year-old Ozzy Moreno said he would likely be sitting on the couch at home throughout his summer break.

Moreno is a Niles High School student who signed up to be a mentor at the summer camp this year, shared this message with local and state representatives, who visited the program Wednesday at Northside Childhood Development Center during the annual Partners Luncheon.

For the past four years, the Niles-Buchanan YMCA has offered the free summer camp to the community’s youth. The six-week program for kindergarteners through fifth-graders is directed by Nicole Weber. This year, the camp has served 250 youth.

Through 29 community partnerships across Berrien County, a number of educational and healthy activities have been available. 

Students also get two free meals a day and the chance to form relationships with the 31 youth mentors, who help to lead the camp.

More than a dozen representatives participated in the Partners Lunch, including fourth ward city council member John DiCostanzo, State Representative Dave Pagel, Sen. John Proos and members of the Niles Board of Education.

Campers provided musical entertainment during a sack lunch meal. They also shared with representatives why they enjoyed camp.

CEO for the Summer My Way program Mark Weber thanked representatives in attendance for supporting the program.

“These guys are representing us in Lansing and Washington and a lot of funding and work that makes this happen is because these guys are aware of what we are doing and support what we are doing,” Weber said.

Ballard Elementary Principal Robin Hadrick echoed this sentiment, adding that Summer My Way offers more than just a place for youth to go during the summer months.

“I can’t stress to you enough how this is such a strong benefit for the community,” Hadrick said. “If you look at just the camp side, it is about character building and building the future leaders and business people of our community.”

For Moreno’s part, being involved in the camp provided the opportunity to make friends with other youth mentors. Additionally, he said that the energy of the campers inspires him daily.

Council member DiCostanzo said this year was his first attending the luncheon. This year, the city allocated $10,000 from the Community Development Block Grant to support the program. DiCostanzo wanted to see how those dollars were being spent.

“From what I have observed it looks great,” DiCostanzo said. “It looks like a great opportunity for the kids to do a number of things.”

While DiCostanzo said he would prefer children have the opportunity to stay at home with a parent, the program offers a good alternative for working parents.

Pagel said he has been attended the program for the past three years.

“I have been very impressed by what they offer to the kids in this community,” Pagel said. “The kids seemed to be having a great time filling their summer days with positive activities and getting out of the house.”

Superintendent Dan Applegate said the program helps to facilitate continual learning during the summertime, offering the chance for students to stay engaged.

Pagel said he liked that the program is able to target youth that need the help academically, such as summer school students who are automatically enrolled. This year, 90 summer school students are participating in the program.

Proos agreed.

“Anytime you have multiple programs come together to recognize the needs of our students during the summer months and to provide such enriching opportunities for Niles community students [it] can only help their education,” Proos said.

For Moreno, the camp offered more than a positive way to spend his time for the summer.

“I met tons of friends,” Moreno said. “The kids motivated me to be energetic, even when I was tired.”