Camden Life Center

08/31/2026

Behind every statistic is a person.

A neighbor. A parent. A child. A friend. Someone who was loved—and whose absence continues to be felt.

Overdose is not only an urban issue. CDC data found that New York was one of just eight states where overdose death rates were higher in rural counties than in urban counties. In communities like ours, distance from services, limited transportation, stigma, and the fear that “everyone will know” can make it even harder to reach for help.

But rural communities also hold something powerful: the ability to know one another, show up for one another, and refuse to let anyone face the darkness alone.

On August 31 at 5:00 PM, we will gather on the Camden Life Center’s Community Patio for Until Morning Comes: A Community Gathering of Remembrance & Healing. Together, we will recognize International Overdose Awareness Day, welcome Su***de Awareness Month, and honor the people behind the statistics.

The evening will include a moment of silence, music and an open mic, food trucks, community resources, and luminaries created in memory of those lost to overdose or su***de. It will also mark the first gathering on our new Community Patio—a space built for connection, belonging, and the conversations that matter.

Because behind every statistic is a person.
Behind every person is a story.
And behind every person who is struggling should be a community willing to stay.

We’ll sit with you in the dark, until morning comes.
***deprevention Recovery Cafe Camden Boonville Life Center

08/28/2026

💙 A Fresh Start for the School Year. 💙

As summer comes to an end and families prepare for a new school year, we're here to help make one thing a little easier.

The Camden Life Center is hosting a FREE Laundry Day for Camden Central School District families with school-age children.

Each family will receive:
🧺 3 FREE loads of laundry
🧴 Laundry detergent
🌸 Dryer sheets

📅 Saturday, August 29
🕘 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Camden Country Clean 9572 Harden Boulevard, Camden

We believe every family deserves access to clean clothes without having to worry about the cost.

Whether you're catching up on laundry or getting ready for the first day of school, we're here to lend a helping hand.

If you have any questions, please call 315-820-2638.
Together, we're building a stronger community—one act of kindness at a time. 💚

08/26/2026

🛍️💚 Shop with a Purpose! 💚🛍️

Did you know the Camden Life Center has a Public Store?

Our store offers a variety of affordable items for the community, and every purchase helps support the programs and services that make a difference right here in our community.

When you shop with us, you're doing more than finding a great deal—you’re helping support:
🤝 Community outreach
🥫 Food assistance programs
🧠 Mental health and recovery services
👨‍👩‍👧 Youth and family programming
🌱 Community events and initiatives

Whether you're looking for something unique, practical, or just love supporting local nonprofits, we invite you to stop in and take a look. You never know what treasures you'll find!

Every purchase helps us continue building a stronger, healthier, and more connected community. Thank you for shopping local and supporting our mission! 💙

08/24/2026

⚽ Borrow & Play Sports Shed FAQ 🏀

We’ve received some great questions about the new Borrow & Play Sports Shed! Here are a few things to know as we get this new resource up and running.

❓ What is the Borrow & Play Sports Shed?
Think of it like a library—but instead of checking out a book, you check out sports equipment, outdoor games, or recreational items. Families can borrow equipment, enjoy it at home, and return it so another family can use it next.

❓ How long can I borrow something?
Items can be borrowed for up to 7 days. Once you return an item, you can check out something new!

❓ How do I get started?
Stop into the Camden Life Center. A staff member or volunteer will help you create an account, complete the liability waiver, and receive your Borrow & Play ID card.

❓ Is there a cost?
No! Borrow & Play is completely free for children and families.

❓ Can I donate or exchange used equipment?
The Sports Shed is not a donation program or equipment swap. The equipment in the shed was purchased specifically for lending through generous funding from The Edwin J. Wadas Foundation, Inc.

We simply do not have the space or staff needed to receive, sort, store, and redistribute donated items. Please do not drop off donations at the Camden Life Center.

❓ Do you accept or lend sports clothing, shoes, or cleats?
No. Borrow & Play focuses on equipment, not clothing, uniforms, shoes, or cleats.

We understand how quickly children can outgrow these items—sometimes growing two cleat sizes in a single season! Fortunately, our community has other resources that may be able to help, including Leslie’s Laundry, Cluster 13, our local AYSO, Little League and Pop Warner programs, and Modified, JV, and Varsity sports teams.

Please contact those organizations or teams directly to ask what they are currently accepting or have available.

❓ What kinds of equipment can I borrow?
We have equipment for every season, including bikes, baseball and soccer equipment, pickleball sets, yard games, sleds, skis, snowshoes, and much more.

Have another question? Send us a message or stop into the Camden Life Center. We’re happy to help!

A special thank-you to The Edwin J. Wadas Foundation, Inc. for making the Borrow & Play Sports Shed possible! ⚽🏀🎾

08/24/2026

Are you ready for back to school? Here are some great tips from our friends at NYS Parenting Education Partnership!

Summer to School Transition Tips

Shift bedtimes and mealtimes 15 minutes earlier each day until they align with the school schedule.

Create a visual schedule for mornings and evenings to reduce chaos and foster independence.

Let children choose school supplies and clothes to build excitement.

Designate a quiet area for homework and organize schoolwork.

Attend orientations or walk/drive the route to the school to ease anxiety about new surroundings, especially if children are going to a new school (such as going into a new grade or moving to a new school).

Talk about feelings regarding the new year, validating any anxieties while highlighting positive aspects.

Reduce screen time in the weeks leading up to school to help children adjust to a more active schedule.

Discuss academic or personal goals for the upcoming year to build motivation.

Create a checklist for the school day to help keep children on track, especially for mornings and evenings. Items on the checklist could be making their bed brushing their teeth, etc. Allow them to mark off the completed tasks themselves so they can see their progress.

Encourage kids to pick out their clothes and pack their bags the night before to help foster independence.

With some extra careful planning, children will be off to a fantastic start in transitioning back to school after summer break!

08/24/2026

💚 Everyone Needs a Place Where They Belong. 💚

That's exactly what Open Door is all about.

Open Door is a free after-school program designed for students entering 7th–12th grade in the Camden Central School District. It's a place where teens can build friendships, discover new interests, and spend time in a positive, supportive environment.

Whether you're outgoing or quiet, new to the area or have lived here your whole life, there's a place for you here.

✨ Come as you are.
✨ Meet new friends.
✨ Try something new.
✨ Have fun.
✨ Be yourself.

Our goal is simple—to provide a safe space where every young person feels welcomed, valued, and encouraged to grow.

📝 Register today: https://forms.gle/MH5snpMiSSyfPvnk8

We can't wait to meet you and welcome you through our Open Door!

08/21/2026

🧺✨ Free Laundry Day for Camden Families! ✨🧺

Laundry is an essential part of everyday life, but it can also be a financial burden for many families. That's why the Camden Life Center is proud to offer FREE Laundry Day for families in the Camden Central School District with school-age children.

Each eligible family will receive:
🫧 3 FREE loads of laundry
🧴 Laundry detergent
🌸 Dryer sheets

📅 Saturday, August 29
🕘 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Camden Country Clean 9572 Harden Boulevard, Camden

Our goal is simple: to help lighten the load for local families so they can focus on what matters most.

Questions? Give us a call at 315-820-2638.

We look forward to serving our community—one load at a time! 💚

08/21/2026

♻️🥫 Turn Your Cans Into Community Impact! 🥫♻️

Did you know your returnable bottles and cans can help strengthen our community?

By donating your recyclables through our Camden Cans Fundraiser, you're helping support the programs and services offered by the Camden Life Center and Life Center Collaborative. Every bottle and can adds up to make a real difference for local individuals and families.

Your donations help support initiatives like:
💚 Food assistance programs
🤝 Youth and family programming
🧠 Mental health and recovery support
🎓 Community education and life skills
🌱 Outreach and community connections

It's a simple way to give back—clean out your garage, save your returnables, and turn them into hope for your neighbors!

Every can counts. Every bottle makes a difference. Together, we can create lasting change right here in our community.

Thank you for supporting the Camden Cans Fundraiser and investing in a brighter future for Camden! 💙

08/20/2026

🥫❤️ Small Donations. Big Impact. ❤️🥫

Food insecurity affects more of our neighbors than many people realize—but together, we can help.

The Camden Life Center is collecting donations of non-perishable food items to help stock our Emergency Food Pantry, Outdoor Sharing Shelf, and Community Fridge. Every donation helps ensure that individuals and families in our community have access to nutritious food when they need it most.

We're currently accepting items such as:
🥫 Canned fruits and vegetables
🍝 Pasta, rice, and boxed meals
🥣 Cereal and oatmeal
🥜 Peanut butter and jelly
🥫 Soups and canned proteins
🥛 Shelf-stable milk
🍎 Healthy snacks for children and families

Every can, every box, and every bag makes a difference.

📍 Donations can be dropped off at the Camden Life Center during regular business hours.

Together, we can help ensure that no one in our community has to face hunger alone. Thank you for helping us care for our neighbors. 💚

08/19/2026

🌟 Partner of the Month: Kimball Brothers GCS 🌟

This month, we are proud to recognize Kimball Brothers GCS as our Partner of the Month!

We are incredibly grateful for the outstanding work they did transforming our back parking lot into a beautiful Community Patio and Gathering Space. What was once the site of a building collapse has been reimagined into a welcoming, functional space where community members can gather, connect, and participate in programs comfortably and safely.

From the very beginning, the Kimball Brothers GCS team made the entire process seamless. They worked closely with us to plan, design, and build a space that not only met our vision but exceeded our expectations in every way.

We are especially thankful that Dennis, Nick, and Tyler are not only exceptional professionals but also local residents who care deeply about our community. Their craftsmanship, dedication, and commitment to making Camden a better place are evident in every detail of this project.

Thank you, Kimball Brothers GCS, for your partnership, your generosity, and your investment in creating spaces where our community can come together. We are honored to recognize you as our Partner of the Month! 💚