His Turn for the Better Deserves Special Reward

Eight-year-old Kenny was a handful when he began showing up at the Boys & Girls Club of Pomona.

He was often angry at the club and at home, where he fought with his two older brothers. Staff members tried giving him timeouts when he acted up during play periods.

But when that seemed fruitless, they tried a new tack: They asked him to help out around the club.

Kenny became responsible for making sure everyone had an I.D. card and had signed in. Before long, he was a changed boy. His special assignment made him feel important, club staffers say, and it helped him earn the respect of and get along better with his brothers.

Now his mother, who sometimes works two jobs to support the family, meets with the staff to discuss not his behavioral problems but his accomplishments.

This summer, Kenny’s reward--and treat--is a trip to camp. He’s among the 33 children the Pomona Boys & Girls Club is sending, most of them from families with an average income of less than $12,000 a year. This year the Los Angeles Times Summer Camp Program donated $5,000 to the club to help sponsor camperships.

Each year since 1954, readers and employees of the Los Angeles Times have sent thousands of needy children to camp through The Times Summer Camp Program.

This year, the McCormick Tribune Foundation will match the first $1.2 million raised at 50 cents on the dollar.

It costs an average of $150 for a child to spend a week at summer camp. Checks should be sent to: L.A. Times Summer Camp Campaign, File No. 53401, Los Angeles, CA 90074-3401. Credit card payments can also be made by calling (213) 237-5771. Please do not send cash. All donations are tax-deductible.

It is the policy of the Los Angeles Times and the camp program to maintain and promote a culture of nondiscrimination and inclusiveness.