More than 40 volunteers plan to travel to Poland this weekend to help Agassiz Village, a nonprofit overnight summer camp serving low-income youth from under-resourced communities, get ready to welcome over 400 children and teens this summer, according to a news release from the camp.

From Friday to Sunday, May 20 to 22, volunteers from across New England will work on cleaning, painting, landscaping, and small renovation projects, including the creation of a dedicated space for an on-site social worker to better meet the social and emotional needs of youth impacted by the pandemic.

Agassiz Village opens its doors to volunteers for one weekend every spring to prepare for the camp season. The support and help the camp receives from volunteers is critical, as it allows the nonprofit organization to direct more time and funds into its programs.

Agassiz’s programs, which include an overnight social emotional learning-focused summer camp and a new year-round college/career readiness intensive for teens, are provided at low or no-cost to low-income children from under-resourced Maine and Massachusetts communities. The volunteers will also be joined by OCBA Landscape Architects, a consulting firm working with the camp to develop a facility master plan to provide youth with state-of-the-art facilities that align with the camp’s vision and mission.

Agassiz is holding in-person overnight camp sessions from July 4 to 15, 18 to 29, and Aug. 1 to 12, and will host 432 children, a 50% increase from 2021.

“Last summer, kids came back to camp after a very difficult year and a half. School closures, lack of social interaction, possible financial instability at home, fewer health care touch points … it all took a toll. That’s why we know it’s critical we reach even more kids with our summer program and our year-round program for teens in 2022,” said Lisa Carter, executive director.

The camp will continue to follow all CDC and local health department guidelines, and is planning to uphold rigorous health and hygiene protocols, including symptom monitoring, pre- and post-arrival COVID-19 testing, enhanced cleaning, and expanded outdoor activities.

For more information, contact Susannah Benn at [email protected] or 781-860-0200, ext. 1002.