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Sights Set on Summer at Camp Harbor View

Children receive vision screenings, eye health education from Mass. Eye and Ear at Camp Harbor View each summer.

In July and August, staff from departments across Massachusetts Eye and Ear visited Camp Harbor View in Boston to provide vision screenings for more than 300 spirited campers.

Mass. Eye and Ear has been supporting this program since its inception more than a decade ago. A favorite annual tradition for staff, the goal of the visit is to provide vision screenings, and educate and assist campers on eye health at a critical point in their lives.

Camp Harbor View’s summer program serves more than 900 middle-school youth each summer through two camp sessions, each four weeks long, on Long Island in Boston Harbor. Transportation, three meals a day and apparel are provided to campers. The children and their families also have access to additional support and resources throughout the year.

“We seek to offer the youth we serve opportunities beyond the traditional summer camp experience,” commented Jenny Callahan, director of Operations and Partnerships at Camp Harbor View. “Our partnership with Mass. Eye and Ear is a significant part of this effort. It makes preventative care accessible to our campers in a safe, comfortable environment while emphasizing the importance of a healthy lifestyle.”

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A vision for the future

Vision screenings are provided at Camp Harbor View to identify any issues and solutions, as well as to educate campers about proper eye care for better performance in school.

“Volunteering at Camp Harbor View is one of my favorite days! It’s a fun atmosphere and the campers ask us many great questions about their eyes and vision during the screenings,” said Brittney J. Mazza, OD, optometrist at Mass. Eye and Ear. “It’s a privilege to work with the Mass. Eye and Ear team and help make a difference in these kids’ lives.”

Lead in any season

The fun doesn’t have to end with the close of summer. Children benefit from the Camp Harbor View community 12 months a year. From September through May, Camp Harbor View moves to their center in the South End, which offers Leadership Academy programs for high school students. Designed to give former campers the tools and resources they need to succeed in high school and beyond, participants get one-on-one support, attend weekly group programs and monthly workshops, and receive the opportunity to work at camp and mentor current campers.

For more information, visit campharborview.org.

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