2026 Summer of Service

YVCHR's Summer of Service Camp Program

Every summer, YVCHR offers camps that provide an immersive service-learning experience for youth ages 11–18. Each session combines icebreakers, team-builders, service-learning lessons, and reflection activities with hands-on community service projects. Youth spend their days being physically active, learning about local needs, building career-readiness and life skills, and connecting with other service-minded peers — all while making a meaningful impact.

A few important notes before registering:

• Location: Sessions are held on either the Peninsula or the Southside — please register for the area that works best for you.

• Age restrictions: Session #1 has specific age requirements; all other sessions are open to youth ages 11–18.

• Daily locations: Camp sites vary each day (except Peninsula Session 1). While sites are subject to change, any updates will remain in the general vicinity of the originally scheduled area.

• Session details: Registered participants will receive a detailed schedule by email one week before their session begins.

CAMP DATES AND LOCATIONS:

• Session 1 / PENINSULA: June 15-19 (8:00am - 12:30pm)--C.H.A.T.S. Horse Therapy Camp (Yorktown)

  • Youth must be 14-18 years old for this camp session. 

  • Our youth volunteers will be providing direct support to children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) at an equine therapy center; the ideal YVC volunteer for this camp session has strong interpersonal skills, is patient and attentive, and can handle being outside all day.

  • This opportunity requires a 1.5-hour training session prior to the start of camp, which will be held at CHATS Saturday, June 13 from 1:00pm - 2:30 pm.

  • Please note that the camp runs from Monday - Friday (5 days) for a total of 22.5 service hours, plus the 1.5-hour training (24 total hours of service)

• Session 2 / PENINSULA: June 22-25 (9:00am-2:00pm)-- So All May Eat (Hampton), W&M (Williamsburg), Virginia Peninsula Foodbank (Hampton), Warwick Forest (Newport News)

• Session 3 / VIRGINIA BEACH/NORFOLK: June 22-25 (9:00am-2:00pm)--LRNow (Virginia Beach), Foodbank of Southeast Virginia (Norfolk), Nauticus (Norfolk), Trails of Purpose (Virginia Beach)

• Session 4 / CHESAPEAKE/PORTSMOUTH: June 29-July 2 (9:00am-2:00pm)-- Edmarc (Portsmouth), Trails of Purpose (Portsmouth), Roc Solid (Chesapeake)

• Session 5 / PENINSULA: July 6-9 (9:00am-2:00pm)--So All May Eat (Hampton), Mariner's Museum (Newport News), Virginia Peninsula Foodbank (Hampton), Scott Center (Newport News)

• Session 6 / PENINSULA: July 13-16 (9:00am-2:00pm)--So All May Eat (Hampton), Mariner's Museum (Newport News), Virginia Peninsula Foodbank (Hampton), Warwick Forest (Newport News)

• Session 7 / VIRGINIA BEACH/NORFOLK: July 20-23 (9:00am-2:00pm)-- Lil' Roar Cat Rescue (Virginia Beach), LRNow (Virginia Beach), Nauticus (Norfolk), Foodbank of Southeast Virginia (Norfolk)

• Session 8 / PENINSULA: July 27-30 (9:00am-2:00pm)--So All May Eat (Hampton), Mariners’ Museum (Newport News), Virginia Peninsula Foodbank (Hampton), The Chesapeake (Newport News)

• Session 9 / SUFFOLK: July 27-30 (9:00am-2:00pm)--Roc Solid (Chesapeake), Swift Research Facility (Suffolk), other locations TBD

Registration goes live on Tuesday, March 31st at 8:00 AM. Click on the button below to access the site.

NOTE: If the yellow button at the top right of the registration page says “DONATE,” the registration site hasn’t gone live. Refresh your screen at 8:00 AM and the button should change to say “DONATE & TICKETS.”

Frequently Asked Questions

IS THERE A COST TO PARTICIPATE? YVC's summer programming is offered at a subsidized rate of $200/week, with full and partial fee waivers available to anyone demonstrating financial need. Meals and transportation are not provided.

WHAT IS THE ATTENDANCE POLICY? We ask that each registered youth participate in all scheduled days of their session for the entire scheduled time, unless a family emergency or special situation arises. Refunds are not issued for individual missed days.

WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY? If YVCHR must cancel a project due to weather or other extenuating circumstances, a refund will be issued for the cancelled day(s), minus applicable credit card processing fees. Families may also choose to convert their registration fees into a tax-deductible donation to YVCHR (a receipt will be provided) or receive a refund by check.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? Youth are expected to wear their free YVC t-shirt each day (provided on the first day of camp), along with closed-toe shoes and appropriate-length shorts. Any additional requirements will be noted in project descriptions.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING? Please bring a water bottle, lunch, and sunscreen and bug spray for outdoor projects. Do not bring earbuds or headphones, as these are not permitted during camp sessions. YVCHR is not responsible for personal belongings brought to project sites. Any additional requirements will be noted in project descriptions.

WHAT IF THERE IS BAD WEATHER? Light rain will not affect plans. If thunderstorms are forecast, YVCHR will arrange alternate indoor sites. In the rare event of a cancellation, families will be notified by email or text from the program director with as much advance notice as possible. To request an alternate communication method, contact programdirector@yvchr.org.

WHAT IS A TYPICAL PROJECT LIKE? Projects are facilitated and supervised by YVCHR staff. Youth volunteers — ages 11 to 18 — work alongside peers to serve local nonprofits and learn about issues in the Hampton Roads community. In addition to hands-on service, staff lead volunteers in service-learning lessons, team-builders, energizer games, and reflection activities. Our goal is to create experiences that are rewarding, challenging, and educational. Cell phone use is not permitted unless specifically required for an activity.

ARE LUNCH AND TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED? Participants are responsible for their own lunches and transportation. Project location details will be shared one week before each session begins.

WHO SUPERVISES THE YOUTH? All projects are led by one or more YVCHR adult team leaders, all of whom have passed full background checks and are trained to lead safe, educational, and engaging service experiences.

HOW DO I GET VERIFICATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS? YVCHR is happy to provide an official letter stating the number of hours completed, and can sign any forms required by your school or organization. All participants will also receive a certificate of completion at the end of their session.

CAN PARENTS VOLUNTEER WITH THEIR CHILDREN? Parents are not permitted to volunteer alongside their child during summer projects. Our goal is to encourage youth to branch out, meet new people, take ownership of tasks, and grow as individuals and team members — an experience that works best when youth participate independently.