‘Impact Camp’ at Johnson C. Smith marks 10th year and 1000+ Charlotte youth
Joshua Brooks first heard from a cousin about the Impact Camp at Johnson C. Smith University and decided to give it a try.
Three years later, the 12 year old says he loves it and cherishes the life lessons learned. The camp, which features basketball, track, and football, is “so much more” than sports training, says Shawn Kennedy, the camp’s founder.
The free weeklong camp began its immersive sporting experience Monday for boys ages 8-13.
For Kennedy, the camp is an extension of his vision to help underprivileged youth, that began when he started Meck Investment Company, with three other African American men, more than a decade ago.
“There’s a narrative out there that we don’t support our young men, so I wanted to kill that narrative,” says Kennedy.
In 2015, Kennedy used his network and discovered that creating a summer camp could be the best way to have a direct impact on local youth.
The camp’s first year began completely self-funded and supported around 25 students in a small local church.
Today, Impact Camp has helped more than 1,000 at-risk boys and 70% come back every summer, Kennedy said.
“All these kids are different. We have to figure out what makes them happy. Then we make sure to implement that in our program, expand that and help them be better,” he said.
Kids who age out of the program often become frequent volunteers and contributors for years to come, Kennedy said.
“I feel like I’ve learned what a leader is supposed to be,” says Brooks.
The wise pre-teen has plans to continue his journey within Impact Camp by becoming a coach volunteer next year.
“As I grow out of my youth years, I would love to see what happened for me, happen to other kids,” Brooks said.
Impact Camp’s Impact
Impact Camp prides itself on instilling the ‘4E’s within its youth: employment, enrichment, enlistment, and entrepreneurship with a sporting twist, according to its website.
After receiving over 800 applications this year, the camp boasts a record high —300 at-risk youth this summer and caters to residents in the west Charlotte area, according to Kennedy.
Each day, students will participate a variety of activities and presentations designed to help the students find their path after traditional school.
On Monday, the campers participated in a demonstration with the Charlotte Fire Department and Tru Homes’ bricklayers and framers. They will end the week with a featured campus tour of the historically Black university.
The sounds of laughter erupted from the university’s gym, as the campers played and eagerly awaited to participate in the fire safety demo.
“[Kids] get a meal, snacks, and seven days at camp. You get a lot of learning, knowledge, and sports training— and it’s all free. Can’t beat that,” says third-time volunteer Michael Ivery.
How to get Involved
Kennedy calls on the City of Charlotte and its community members to increase the support and expansion of the program. The program has some sponsors but it is mostly self-funded by the Meck Investment Company.
“These young men are doing great things. So we need the city to believe in them, pour into them and really just make it bigger,” says Kennedy.
Kennedy has hopes to expand Impact Camp into a two-week program and open the door for an all-girls camp in the coming years.
“We want to make sure people know the need is there, and programs like this have to happen.”
Youth applications open via email in late May annually.
Impact Camp is always looking for volunteers and sponsors. If interested click here for inquiries.
Learn more about the Meck Investment Companies: Impact Camp here.
This story was originally published July 22, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
