Upstate Camp: A Summer of Childhood for Migrant Kids

A Summer of Sweet Hope: Dulce Esperanza Camp Provides Sanctuary for Children of Farmworkers

In the heart of Orange County, nestled amongst the fertile lands of the Black Dirt region, a unique summer camp offers a haven for children whose parents work tirelessly in the fields. Dulce Esperanza, meaning “sweet hope” in Spanish, is more than just a summer camp; it’s a lifeline for the children of migrant farmworkers, a place where they can escape the pressures of their daily lives and simply be kids.

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On any given day, the air at Dulce Esperanza is filled with the sounds of laughter and joyful activity. Children engage in classic summer camp pastimes: crafting outfits for stuffed animals, building friendship bracelets, playing volleyball, practicing yoga, creating art, constructing makeshift tents, and engaging in spirited water fights. The camp provides a welcome respite from the ever-present concerns that often weigh heavily on these young minds.

More Than Just Fun and Games: Addressing Critical Needs

Dulce Esperanza addresses significant needs faced by farmworker families, who often struggle with high poverty rates and a lack of affordable childcare. Many parents face the difficult choice of leaving their children home alone or bringing them to the fields, situations that can compromise their safety and well-being. The camp provides a safe, supportive environment that keeps children out of harm’s way and protects their mental health.

“Without this camp, many of these kids would face physical and social isolation,” explains Jobeth Leon, an outreach coordinator at the Warwick Area Farmworker Organization, the nonprofit organization that operates Dulce Esperanza. The camp offers a chance for these children to simply be kids, fostering friendships and creating lasting memories.

A Legacy of Support: Rooted in Community

The concept of a summer program for the children of farmworkers has deep roots in Orange County. Recognizing the need for health and social services, the Orange County Council of Churches established the Warwick Area Migrant Committee in 1959. This organization, a precursor to the Warwick Area Farmworker Organization, launched a summer program for children as early as 1964.

Research highlights the challenges faced by children of migrant farmworkers nationwide, including poverty, language barriers, lack of transportation, and constant mobility. These factors contribute to alarmingly high dropout rates, with as many as half failing to complete high school.

In the 1990s, Catholic nuns Sisters Fran Liston and Pam Wagner established Mustard Seed Migrant Ministry, a day care center dedicated to serving farmworker families. Following their retirement in 2016, a coalition of organizations and individuals, including the Warwick Area Migrant Committee, the Alamo Community Center, Hudson River HealthCare, Migrant Education, and local parents and volunteers, came together to create Dulce Esperanza.

Empowerment and Leadership: For and By Farmworkers

Five board members from the Warwick Area Farmworker Organization are farmworkers themselves. This unique perspective gives them a strong sense of “empowerment, responsibility, and leadership,” according to Leon.

Dulce Esperanza has grown significantly since its inception. This year, the camp welcomed 90 campers and employed 20 staff members, including bilingual counselors who themselves started as campers. Since 2017, the camp has served over 700 children. Kathy Brieger, co-founder of the camp and executive director of the Warwick Area Farmworker Organization, proudly notes that the majority of students enrolled in the Dulce Esperanza program graduate from high school.

A Safe Space: Fostering Growth and Opportunity

Vanessa Ortiz, a Middletown native whose childhood mirrored that of many Dulce Esperanza campers, understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities faced by the children. Starting at age 12, she spent her spring breaks and evenings working in the fields alongside her mother and sisters. She joined Dulce Esperanza as a counselor three years ago.

Now a college student pursuing a degree in political science, Ortiz works as a program coordinator at Dulce Esperanza during the summers. Despite receiving a job offer on campus, she chose to return to the camp, drawn by her connection to the children. “They are my only social outlet,” she says, referring to the campers. “It makes me feel less lonely.”

Janice Bonagura, a special education teacher at SS Seward Institute, has also found a fulfilling role at Dulce Esperanza. After four years, she continues to volunteer her summers, stating, “We love the kids all the way to the end.”

A Comprehensive Program: Academics and Enrichment

Five days a week from July to August, children ages six to 13 from five different school districts – Warwick, Florida, Goshen, Minisink, and Middletown – gather at a designated school to engage in academic and enrichment activities. Certified teachers lead reading, writing, math, and science lessons. Afternoons are dedicated to recreational activities such as volleyball, dancing, arts and crafts, and cooking workshops.

This summer marked a significant milestone for Dulce Esperanza: the introduction of swimming lessons. Becoming a certified state day camp through the Orange County Department of Health allowed the camp to offer this valuable skill to campers, including older counselors who had never had the opportunity to learn to swim.

Overcoming Barriers: Accessibility and Affordability

Recognizing the financial constraints faced by many farmworker families, Dulce Esperanza strives to make its program accessible to all. Most children receive transportation to and from camp and are provided with three meals a day. The cost is $210 per child for seven weeks. If a family cannot afford the fee, the organization works to find ways to either have them volunteer or cover the costs through donations.

Dulce Esperanza relies on grants and donations to sustain its operations, with transportation and staffing posing the biggest challenges. The Warwick Area Farmworker Organization is actively collecting data to quantify the program’s impact. This year, at least 10 children who grew up participating in the organization’s programs or whose families utilize their services graduated from high school. Of those, at least eight are pursuing higher education, while one is attending a trade school.

“I think for parents, most importantly, is that they came here, sacrificed themselves, put in the hard work because they want to see their kids have a better life,” says Leon.

A Haven from the Outside World: Hope for the Future

While Dulce Esperanza serves as a haven from the challenges of the outside world, the realities of life for migrant farmworker families sometimes seep in. Despite these concerns, the camp provides a space where children can feel safe, supported, and empowered. By the end of the summer, deep bonds have formed, and goodbyes are bittersweet.

“This is a safe space for a lot of these kids. They’re just like everyone else,” says Leon. “They deserve a chance to experience what every other average kid gets to experience during the summer.” Dulce Esperanza offers these children a chance to thrive, fostering their growth, building their confidence, and providing them with hope for a brighter future.