Archive

Church Outreach Programs

Cape May Cares is blessed to have the support and active involvement of many local churches. We are very thankful to Cape May’s clergy leaders and their parishioners who go beyond their own social outreach programs to help support our organization’s goals of improving children’s educational opportunities and social development. Whether it be ensuring that these children can participate in summer VBS programs or donating book bag and school supplies year after year, our local church involvement is so important to our mission. From arts scholarships to a beautiful piano donation for our office — with added bonus of their organist volunteering weekly for with one of our musically-gifted students — Cape May Cares is so grateful to our church community for giving these children the chance to develop their talents both in and outside the classroom.

Nature Camp

This summer, five students from Cape May Housing Authority were sponsored for a week at the NJ Audubon Nature Center of  Cape May. We know how important it is for the children to run, jump and splash while learning to be excited about the natural world. The moms enjoyed seeing the children have fun with “hands-on” activities and gaining the knowledge to be good stewards of the Cape May Harbor open space.

From a mom: “My children loved exploring the woods each day! They didn’t want to leave. It was a great experience!”

Theater Camp

Director Sally Bingham of the East Lynne Theater Company works her magic every summer for a wonderful two week drama camp. In just two weeks, she manages to transform a group of kids into a close-knit acting troupe who can memorize dialog, improvise when needed and entertain an audience with the best of them. For our Cape May Cares children, the East Lynne workshop and the authentic theatrical experience these scholarships provide can often be the highlight of the students’ year.  Cape May Cares truly appreciates this wonderful scholarship opportunity in this important area of arts education and development for children.

After School Program

During the school year, the Cape May Cares office is bustling with activity as students arrive after school to study for spelling tests, work out math problems, play educational games and generally have fun while they learn.

Cape May Cares is blessed to have an amazing group of retired school teachers and other professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to give students the homework help and study tips they need to achieve in school and everyday life.

An additional benefit of our after school program is the mentorships and warm friendships which develop as the tutors, students and families all work together to ensure that the children succeed in their academics and extra-curricular activities. Having now grown to include some twenty tutors working one-on-one with elementary and high school students, the after school program is truly one of the most important services that Cape May Cares has to offer our families.

Scholarship Program

The Cape May Cares Scholarship Fund is just one of our important education programs making a difference in the lives of local children and teens from lower income families.  In the past two years, we have awarded four substantial needs-based college scholarships worth up to $5,000 each to local students who have demonstrated both academic excellence and the spirit of volunteerism during their time at Lower Cape May Regional High School. Each year, our scholarship committee meets to review applications and read submitted essays.  The selection choice is never easy as so many of the students excel in academics and community service, despite dealing with challenging economic and family situations. Come spring 2025, Cape May Cares looks to expand our educational impact and assist additional deserving students by offering a third college or technical school scholarship of equal value to a deserving local high school senior.

Arts Program

Junior Lifeguard Program

Established in 1992 by the late Captain Buzz Mogck, the Cape May Beach Patrol Junior Lifeguard Program to promote water and beach safety, good health and fitness, development of future lifeguards and working together as a team.  Cape May Cares thanks Captain Harry Back and the City of Cape May for their help in extending four scholarships to our organization. In a seashore community, it is extremely important for children to learn respect for the ocean and proficient swimming skills. We are grateful to the Cape May Junior Lifeguard Program for providing our local children with this opportunity to participate in this valuable program and possibly even join the Cape May Beach Patrol one day.