Photo courtesy of Robin Plotkin.
The Visiting Nurse Association of Texas will host the organization’s third annual Meals on Wheels Kids Camp this summer.
The camp gives participants the opportunity to learn about senior hunger, nutrition and connection while delivering meals to local residents. Camp sessions take place June 8-12 for children ages 8-11, with all camp days starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m.
“The origin story really was that we wanted to find a way to engage children in a meaningful way during the summer, when they were off of school, to be able to really learn how they, even at a young age, can make a big impact,” communications and events manager Robin Plotkin said. “Our goal is to promote the importance of volunteerism and really open their eyes to what is out there in our community and how they, again at a young age, can help.”
Campers will be delivering meals to two locations in Oak Cliff, The Oaks at Hampton Retirement Center and Nolen Grand Apartments, which are just a portion of the 5,000 homes that VNA delivers to daily.
Photo courtesy of Robin Plotkin.
In addition to the delivery, campers will also take part in hands-on activities that help educate on the importance of health and empathy.
“We will create a scenario where a child might feel isolated, and then how the group can then bring that person out of isolation, or help them become a member of the group, and help them understand how important it is not to leave anybody out. And then we are able to apply it to perhaps a senior who is receiving Meals on Wheels” Plotkin said.
New to this year’s camp is a flexible 2-,3- and 5-day options to allow the program to be more accessible to families while continuing to create meaningful connections across generations of Dallas.
Registration for the 2026 camp is now open and will close June 5, ranging from $50 per child per day to $200 per child for the full 5-day camp.
