Alianza Center’s Summer, Cameras, Action! Summer Program, a free leadership camp focused on strengthening heritage connections, cultivating a healthy sense of self, and engaging cultural education for Central Florida youth, is now enrolling for the July 11th through July 22nd session. The deadline to apply is Thursday, July 7th.
In partnership with FTC, Summer, Cameras, Action! Summer Program offers youth between the ages of 5-18 an opportunity to develop their skills and understanding around topics like leadership, civic engagement, arts and culture, environmental justice, and stewardship of the earth.
The free summer program aims to empower kids to make an impact in their community by igniting their leadership potential. Registration is still open for the July 11th – July 22nd session.
Last week, Congressman Darren Soto participated as a guest speaker in the Youth Motivational Guest Speakers Series at Alianza Center’s leadership summer program. Dozens of camp participants, ranging from age 5 to 18, listened to the district 9th U.S. Representative address the importance of caring for the environment, and embracing our heritage. The summer program is offered at no cost to parents at Florida Technical College (FTC) Kissimmee campus.
Representative Soto, the first Puerto Rican from Florida in Congress, joined Emanuel Dávila, the camp music director, on the congas as kids demonstrated some of the Bomba moves learned during the summer camp’s first session. Bomba, is a percussive genre rooted in Puerto Rico’s African roots and considered the anthem of the Island.
Parents of children in kindergarten through12th grade can get more information and apply online.
“We are thrilled to welcome the return of Summer, Cameras, Action! for a second year in a row. We are especially excited to bring the program closer to Osceola County residents, in partnership with Florida Technical College. We are honored to have FTC as our presenting sponsor, and we look forward to working together in the future to promote leadership among our community’s youth,” said Zulma Velez-Estrada, interim Executive Director of Alianza Center.
“This is a real game changer for the children, their parents, and our community,” stated Dr. James Michael Burkett, President of Florida Technical College. “At FTC, we feel honored for the opportunity to partner with the Alianza Center to offer a cost-free summer camp leadership program for K-12 youth at our Kissimmee campus. This is an opportunity for children to learn critical skills and make good use of their summer break, while helping their parents with a quality summer childcare option at no cost.”
The summer program features daily guest speakers, hands-on activities, projects, field trips, and free meals – breakfast and lunch – provided by Sysco and prepared by the FTC International School of Culinary Arts team.
Alianza Center is a civic engagement organization focused on elevating our communities and investing in Puerto Rican and Latino leadership in the state of Florida.
