Armourdale youth learn how to work and play

KANSAS CITY, Missouri -  

It's a summer camp finale like no other. Kids from the Armourdale, KS community took the stage to not only perform, but thank their sponsors and camp leaders for a wonderful summer.

"A lot of our kids are very successful. We have a lot of our kids that do this in the summer and they play sports in middle and high school. A lot of kids in the drama club, so I think it helps them a whole lot," said Josh Boswell, camp supervisor.

Boswell says in a neighborhood where the average home income is below average, the camp offers kids lunch and simple pleasures like games, tournaments of all sorts, a lot of soccer and other fun things.

It's camp tradition for the kids to put on a talent show the last day. Many of the kids have been practiced for weeks and Boswell said the kids all support each other.

The kind of support Armourdale Recreation Center needs after losing its funding last year. Companies like TLC Greetings helped with funding by putting the kids art work on greeting cards. Those cards are being sold back to the program to help with fundraising.

"So they're helping out both ways. They get to be creative and inspirational and then they get to be able to donate 30% back," said Carolyn Caniglia with TLC Greetings.

As for the kids, whether its learning how to sell their own greeting cards or mowing grass for senior citizens, many of them say they're just looking for a good time.

"It's fun coming here and you can have lots of pizza and you can have fun times with friends," said Alexandra Ortiz, Artist.

If you would like to help the Armourdale Recreation Center call (913) 551-0408.