Camden, New Jersey Service Immersion - March 24-28

On Monday, March 24, a group of 12 students and two chaperones set off from Gilmour Academy on a five-day excursion to a new environment that, for many, was like nothing they had ever experienced before. After an orientation that included the life and legacy of St. Oscar Romero, students witnessed firsthand the challenges facing the urban poor in general, and Camden, New Jersey, in particular. Over the course of the week, students had the opportunity to volunteer and help distribute 600 meals at a soup kitchen, get their hands dirty with Urban Promise, tutor young students at St. Joseph’s School, play games with older adults at STARS Day Care and Inglis Center for the disabled, and learn about the individuals making a difference in the rebirth of Camden. A memorable experience for all was the SNAP food challenge, which tested the students’ ability to shop, purchase, prepare and consume an entire day’s worth of food within the restrictions of the SNAP allocation of $4 per person per day. To finish the week of service, the group was asked to reflect on the injustices of urban existence, and put their ideas into action upon returning to Gilmour. The group agreed to collectively focus on the disabled and work to improve accessibility throughout the Gilmour campus. In the end, all students on the trip were impacted by the experience and came back committed to making a difference in the lives of those around them. As Zae’Lyn O’Neal '25 explained, “To realize that even the most minor acts of service - such as cleaning, cooking, or even just giving a listening ear - can change so much was really rewarding.” See photos from the trip here.