"Horizons to me means 6 weeks of fun with my friends. Throughout the many years I've spent here, I have made great friends and expanded my own horizons...Everyday I spent here was filled with laughter. Horizons has given me opportunities I would have had otherwise. This program has helped me grow as a person and every summer spent here was awesome. I am so happy and thankful for this program and what it has given me." 

The Horizons 2009 classes put extreme thought, effort, and dedication into how they would "pay it forward" this summer because they knew that each and everyone of them could make a difference if he/she tried.

 NCS 1-3 grade classes created a special Pay It Forward Day, on which they traveled to several local charities and personally delivered the donations their classes had collected throughout the summer. They visited the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughers and delivered handmade stuffed animals and get well cards to the patients. Next, they delivered handmade dog toys and blankets to the animals at the Norfolk SPCA. They also stopped by the Ronald McDonald House, FoodBank, and Red Cross to make donations.

CHCS 2nd grade class cleaned the cafeteria every day after all od the students from all camps had eaten lunch- what a job! Meanwhile, CHCS 3rd graders constructed a pinata to share with the 1st and 2nd grade classes.

NCS 4th grade class made craft bags for the children at CHKD who are unable to leave their rooms and participate in art activities. The Horizons students attached a special note to each project in hopes of brightening the young patients' day. The 5th grade class ran the canned food and loose change drive, as well as participating in a "junk-free" challenge for 6 weeks! Their collection proceeds will be donated to the St. Judes Children's Hospital.

CHCS 7th grade students volunteered Monday mornings at Pembroke ES Summer School in the Special Education Wing, helping children with a spectrum of learning, mental, and physical disabilities. Also, they cooked up the world-famous "Horizons Hotcakes" for all of their fellow campmates.

Both NCS and CHCS 8th and 9th grade classes volunteered at the FoodBank and Habitat for Humanity's Thrift Store by sorting canned goods and clothes.

All of the Horizons students baked homemade cheesy bread at Young Chef's Academy and then shared it with the local fire departments to show their appreciation and gratitude for their service to the community. Additionally, the students joined Keep Norfolk Beautiful in its quest to "follow that trash". The students traveled to local parks and beaches collecting littered trash. Finally, all of the students participated in recylcing plastic bottles used over the summer.

Horizons students of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Portsmouth sites are very proud to make a difference by their efforts to "Pay it Forward".