Starpoint School, TCU’s laboratory school for students with learning differences, hosted a summer camp, June 5-16, 2006, for homeless children from the Presbyterian Night Shelter’s Lowdon-Shutts Building for Women and Children. The Junior League of Fort Worth (JLFW) coordinated the summer day camp, called Camp Character, with TCU and Starpoint School.

The two-week summer day camp, funded, designed and staffed by JLFW, taught basic life skills such as teamwork, trust, conflict resolution and communication in a fun and positive environment. The children learned teamwork and trust during a ropes course exercise and gained confidence through rock climbing and playing baseball. They also expressed themselves through innovative art projects, which will become part of a mural to be displayed at the Presbyterian Night Shelter.

According to JLFW president-elect, Lindy Borchardt, “Junior League of Fort Worth collaborated with the Presbyterian Nigh Shelter, Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) and TCU to offer a fun-filled day camp experience. The Gary Patterson foundation also supported the camp and the FWISD provided transportation.”

“Holding the camp at Starpoint School was remarkable,” continued Borchardt. “The school offered such a positive learning environment for the children. The Junior League of Fort Worth would like to thank all those at TCU involved in Camp Character who worked hard to make a difference in a child’s life.”

“We were thrilled to be a part of this wonderful project to enrich the lives of these children,” said Marilyn Tolbert, TCU director and Jean W. Roach Chair of Laboratory Schools.

During the two-week session, the campers heard Eric Anderson talk about overcoming diversity. Anderson graduated, who from TCU on a football scholarship and grew up in an economically challenged part of New Orleans, attributed his success to education.

TCU alumnus Rebecca Gates coordinated the program and wrote the curriculum based on her education and experience at Boys Town. Staff members from across the TCU campus were also involved with the planning and organization. Cathy Neece from Brite Divinity School and Courtney Holm from athletics served as coordinators of Camp Character and Barbara Brown Herman from student development services secured the location at Starpoint and helped develop the children’s activities.

-30-