WBTV Feature: More than 300 kids, teens learn valuable life lessons through annual Impact Camp in West Charlotte
Source: WBTV
Coverage: July 21, 2026
More than 300 young people gathered at Johnson C. Smith University for the 11th annual Impact Camp, continuing the Charlotte program's mission of connecting youth with mentorship, education, athletics, career exposure, and community.
WBTV reported that 340 kids and teens participated in the 2026 program, while approximately 400 additional applicants had to be turned away because the camp reached capacity.
The growing demand is driving plans to expand Impact Camp to two weeks in 2027, creating opportunities for more Charlotte families to participate.
Campers are exposed to experiences ranging from sports and entrepreneurship to education and career conversations, while returning participants can eventually take on mentorship and counselor roles of their own.
Impact Camp co-founder Shawn Kennedy described the program as a safe place where young people can build community, spend time with friends, eat, learn, and gain exposure to possibilities for their futures. The long-term vision includes creating a permanent facility capable of providing year-round support and after-school programming.
The continued growth of Impact Camp reflects Kennedy Properties' broader philosophy of community development: strengthening neighborhoods not only through attainable housing and development, but through investments in opportunity, mentorship, and the people who call those neighborhoods home.
Comments