New summer camp aims to keep teens active and safe

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- After another deadly shooting of a teenager Tuesday night some South Bend parents are looking ahead to this summer, and trying to find safe places where their young children and teenagers can get involved.

The Kroc Community Center in South Bend is providing a summer camp specifically for teenagers for the first time since opening.

Enjoying the weather and playing outside cost 2-year-old John Swoveland Jr. his life one week ago.

He was gunned down by a stray bullet in his aunt's yard.

Tuesday night there was another shooting, this time a teen was shot and killed while riding his bike to work.

It has some South Bend parents on edge, thinking about their child’s safety and how they will spend their time this summer.

The Kroc Center said they have the answer, a new camp just for high school students.

“We’ve always had camp for the younger kids, so now we’ve added this 13 to 17 because we see the need for kids to do something more positive and more structured,” Kroc Center Communications Spokesperson Meg Sauer said.

It is a special camp to help teens with self esteem and leadership and to keep them off the streets and out of trouble during the summer months.

“And they really do have a positive safe place to go, rather than just hanging out on the streets or wherever at home,” she said.

The camp costs $50 a week for members and $75 a week for nonmembers.

Students must be in high school and be between the ages of 13 and 17.