December 31, 2016 By Marc-Yves Regis I, Founder & Volunteer director

This past summer, I hosted annual summer camps in Haiti and in the  Dominican Republic. I joined the children in their playful activities  and immersed myself in the fun. For the past seven years the children  have enjoyed playing like children, and filling their empty bellies with  good food.

Camp Hispaniola was successful this year in both  countries. The children participated in various activities such as  football, sack racing, dance, arts & crafts, jump rope and  singing. The children were appreciative of the support that came through  grants as well as from individuals and churches.

St.  Ann's Episcopal Church in Old Lyme helped make this year's camp extra  fun by donating a Fujifilm Polaroid camera that I used to take pictures  of the campers and give them away as souvenirs. The camera and pictures  were a big hit at both camps!

Each year, the camp makes a huge  impact on young children and provides a much needed social outlet for  poor and needy children. If it were not for Camp Hispaniola, these  children would sit at home all summer doing nothing.

These  children have that one experience and for many, the opportunity to  return the next year. Just imagine the joy of anticipation these  children have about coming back to camp. The young adults who become  counselors also earn "real money" and responsibility and hopefully will  have opportunities in the future to move up in society.

​Some of the children were so overcome with emotion that they sang the praises of the camp and didn’t want it to end.

• “When I am at camp I feel very happy.” Rose, 11
• “The camp helped me have fun and make new friends.” Liliana, 12
• “Besides the good food, I have a lot of fun.” Youseline, 12
• “I wish the camp would never end.” Jean, 10
•  “In 2010, I was a camper; six years I am in charge of the camp. This is cause for me to celebrate.” Fatima, 16