“FabNewport’s 55 campers, counselors and administrators celebrated the last day of their free six-week “Newport Experience” summer camp with their showcase event on Aug. 13 at Miantonomi Park. Guests were invited to the event, which included food, art displays, a talent show and some poignant words of reflection.”
Six Weeks of Being Kids
“When we show up for young people, they learn to show up for one another. That is how community grows.”
Six weeks ago, 50 young people came together for NEX, our summer program built around experiences, relationships, and the simple belief that young people deserve time to learn, explore, have fun, and just be themselves.
This year, we intentionally created more room for unstructured time and free play. Our learners thrived.
They traveled throughout Newport County, learning to surf and kayak, playing pickleball, taking walks, getting ice cream, sharing lunch, and playing spirited games of manhunt at Miantonomi Park. We saw the power of giving young people room to laugh, wander, make friends, and experience their community in new ways.
We also brought our annual NEX Showcase outdoors to Miantonomi Park. Campers, families, staff, Navigators, supporters, and neighbors gathered for a beautiful afternoon. We talked, played, watched our young people take the stage, and, of course, shared ice cream.
It was a reminder that building community doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes it simply means showing up.
We have done that year after year—and our campers grow up and keep showing up, too. They become Navigators, mentors, and young people who understand what it means to care for others.
Lala is one of them. She has been part of FabNewport for seven years and shared:
“I have the best time here. I have learned how just caring about others can make a difference in your life too. FabNewport has helped me figure out that I just love helping people.”
This summer, while preparing camp lunches at The Salvation Army and volunteering in its food pantry, Lala discovered her Positive Future Vision: becoming a social worker. She wants other young people to experience what she found at FabNewport—a feeling of being cared for and a community where they belong.
That is why NEX is about more than six weeks of surfing, kayaking, pickleball, ice cream, and manhunt. We create the conditions for young people to feel seen, discover what they love, and recognize that they have something meaningful to contribute.
When we show up for young people, they learn to show up for one another. That is how community grows.
The highlight of my summer was definitely the people. No matter if we were in pouring rain or in the red tide soup at the beach everyone never failed to keep things fun. My group as it changed a lot during the summer always felt like a little family that was able to adapt and have fun no matter what. This positivity really made my summer so fun. I’m so grateful to be a part of this amazing community that reminds me time and time again why I love what I do. This summer felt very uncertain for me at times but coming to Fab everyday and getting to connect with this great community meant so much to me!
Julia, 18, Navigator, who will join the team as an apprentice in September
Sporting Fun
Throughout the six weeks, we got to try so many different activities, and sports were definitely some of my favorite moments. One of my favorite memories was playing soccer with a different group. We made two teams, and the team I was in ended up winning! It was really fun getting to play with people I normally wouldn’t be on a team with and work together. We also got to play tennis at Rogers High School, where we learned some basic skills and played a few matches and same with pickle ball at the Newport Pickleball Club.
Navigator, Nayely
We Can’t Do It Alone
A joyful summer like this is only possible because of the many people and organizations who show up for our young people. Thank you to our incredible partners, including Governor’s Workforce Board, Royal Little Family foundation, Conanicut Island Sailing Foundation, Gnome Surf, AgInnovation Bike Newport, The Salvation Army, Bank Newport, EJMP, Powered by Prince, Prince Charitable Trusts, Team Fame, The Grueben Foundation, the van Bueren Charitable Foundation, Newport Restoration Foundation, Education Reimagined, Newport Public Education Foundation, the City of Newport, Middletown, Newport Public Schools and all of you who invest so generously. We are deeply grateful to have you alongside us.
