Long Beach resident Justin Rudd has found a way to give back to the community of Long Beach that allows him to help others live out his motto of “explore, dream, and discover.” He has founded “Camp Justin!”, a six-day camp that gives twelve economically disadvantaged high school students in the Long Beach Unified School District the opportunity to engage in activities across Southern California. The camp will take place Monday, August 1 to Saturday, August 6th from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
The camp is funded by a generous grant from an anonymous family foundation to Rudd’s nonprofit “Community Action Team.”
The participating students are unaware of the activities the camp has in store them, ensuring that each day will be a surprise. Some of the places they will be visiting are the L.A. Zoo, the Hollywood Sign, and the OC Fair. They will also go horseback riding at Griffith Park, and will take in a private tour and screening of the animated film “RIO” at 20th Century Fox Animation Studios.
The events will also have an educational component, as the students will partake in a boat ride with a marine biologist along the Pacific Coast, and visit the college campuses of UCLA, USC, Long Beach City College, and Long Beach State.
Students will have the chance to give back to the community as well as they will participate in a beach cleanup and volunteer at an animal shelter. They will also meet Mayor Bob Foster.
The camp will leave students prepared for the coming school year as they will be taken to a department store to choose a brand new school outfit, and also will have the opportunity to pick out new school supplies.