UM Social Work Partners with Children’s Aid Society for Foster Youth Camp

July 6, 2026

As the University of Montevallo’s Social Work Program celebrates 100 years of service, it has partnered with the Children’s Aid Society of Alabama (CAS) to support Camp Life, the nonprofit’s annual independent living summer camp that helps youth in foster care prepare for successful transitions to adulthood.

Hosted on the UM campus this summer, Camp Life was created in 2010 in collaboration with the Alabama Department of Human Resources to help foster youth build self-confidence, teamwork skills, positive peer and adult connections and independent living skills.

“Camp Life is designed to help fill gaps in experience while creating a space where youth can dream about their futures beyond the limits of the systems they have had to navigate,” said CAS Independent Living Program Director Jay Tunagur-Williams. “It is a place where campers are reminded that their stories are still being written, and that they deserve meaningful experiences that help them write those stories with confidence.”

Split into two separate dates, Camp Life hosted ages 14-16 in June and will host ages 17-20 in July. Throughout their three-day stay on campus, campers participate in interactive workshops and engaging activities such as career exploration through a career fair, stress management, breathing and relaxation techniques and hands-on cooking experiences. Campers also enjoy recreational opportunities such as esports and a special visit from Cahaba Critters nonprofit animal farm.

The partnership also reflects UM’s commitment to experiential learning. By serving on the Camp Life staff, UM social work students strengthen classroom learning through direct practice, leadership development and collaboration with professionals dedicated to serving children and families.

“We have a really rich relationship with Children’s Aid,” said Dr. Jason Newell, professor and director of UM’s Social Work Program. “Our program is 100 years old this year, and we have had a partnership with Children’s Aid for as long as we’ve been here. Montevallo put some of the first social workers into that agency.”

Learn more about the Social Work Program and opportunities for UM students to prepare for a career in social work by visiting montevallo.edu/social-work.