Benton Harbor Camp Inspires with Andrews Professor

Students from the Outside the Lines camp are pictured with Andrews University architecture professor Mark Moreno. (Photo by Nicholas Gunn)

Mark Moreno, associate professor of architecture at Andrews University, partnered with the Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation (CDC) to bring an innovative architecture camp to the community’s youth. The program, known as Renaissance Kids, is Moreno's brainchild, created in 1997. Over the years, the camp has evolved, incorporating suggestions from parents and community members, into an initiative that not only teaches architectural principles but also engages participants in life lessons and real-world construction projects.

Moreno, who holds a master’s degree in architecture from the Harvard University Graduate School of Design and a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Texas at Arlington, has been shaping young minds at Andrews University since 1996. His journey into architecture began in an unexpected way, as he was initially uncertain about his career path. Inspired by his sister’s passion for the field and his own experiences with architecture drafting classes in high school, however, Moreno found his calling.

"I didn't have a clue going in," Moreno recalls. "But the first architecture class I took, I just loved it, and I never turned back." The course focused on how architecture impacts people both individually and collectively.

Moreno’s dedication to architecture and education has been evident throughout his career, leading him to work for various architecture firms and ultimately to engage in teaching positions that have influenced countless students. His passion for making a difference in the community has been a driving force behind the Renaissance Kids program, which he first conceived as a side job to earn extra income for his growing family. After taking a hiatus that began in 1998, Moreno restarted the camp in 2007 with a renewed passion to connect Andrews University with the greater community.

Renaissance Kids is more than just a summer camp; it offers an immersive experience during which children explore architecture through hands-on activities and real-world construction projects. Over the years, the program has evolved in complexity, with participants creating everything from small-scale models to full-sized community structures.

The camp has made significant contributions to the community, including building sitting spaces and art-adorned masonry pillars at the Curious Kids Discovery Zone, Curious Kids Museum and Krasl Art Center. In 2018 and 2019, Renaissance Kids participants supported a fundraising campaign by the Saint Augustine's Episcopal Church’s youth group. Over the two summers, they designed and built playhouses, dog houses and artwork to help construct a home for a family in need.

This year, in partnership with the Benton Harbor CDC's Outside the Lines Summer Camp, Renaissance Kids worked on a particularly meaningful project: building a pergola in the local Flourish Garden. "It is so cool to see these kids getting their hands dirty, building a pergola in the community garden," Moreno says. "They did it like champs. It was really an inspiration to watch them."

For the past three years, the Outside the Lines camp has been able to impact over 30 students each summer in the Benton Harbor community. The camp provides mentoring, sports training and leadership skills under its 400 B.L.A.C.K Mentoring Program, which focuses on building leaders and cultivating kinship. Camp counselor Kevin Moore explains, “The camp prepares students to be comfortable with stepping outside of the box.”

Outside the Lines targets youth eight to 14 years of age in an effort to decrease youth violence and build youth leaders within the community. Jay McCree, family engagement specialist for the 400 B.L.A.C.K Mentoring Program, says, “The camp is another way for kids to get out of the house and become more involved in their community.”

The collaboration between Renaissance Kids and the Benton Harbor CDC is a significant step toward engaging the community’s youth in meaningful, creative activities. The partnership reflects the shared goal of both organizations: to provide opportunities that nurture leadership, creativity and a sense of community among young people.

Ashley Hines, the executive director for the Benton Harbor CDC, was instrumental in bringing this partnership to life. Hines reached out to Moreno with the idea of merging the two programs, and their collaboration has since flourished. "Ashley is a champion," Moreno says. "She’s a great connector, and she’s an inspiration. I can’t say enough nice things about her."

Nick Blue, program director for the 400 B.L.A.C.K Mentoring Program, emphasizes the importance of this partnership in enhancing the camp’s offerings. "For the past three years, we’ve partnered with different entities in the community, and this year, adding Renaissance Kids was huge," he says. "Professor Mark Moreno brought his expertise, and we were able to merge it with our Outside the Lines camp to create something awesome."

Adding meaningful depth to the experience, the campers worked alongside professionals in the architecture field. Specifically, Larry Jackson, local construction teacher and high school football coach, and Carl Stigall, of Stigall Concrete, participated in the camp, both exuding a passion for their work, love for kids and giving hearts for the community.

The impact of these projects extends beyond the participants, as they contribute to the broader goal of revitalizing and improving the Benton Harbor community. This year’s camp offered more than just an introduction to architecture; it provided campers with the tools to build a better future for themselves and their community.

Camper Jayde Hurst, who has attended the Outside the Lines camp for the past three years, shared her enthusiasm, saying, "What I enjoy most about OTL camp is the chance to do fun activities and meet new friends. This year was especially great because we had the opportunity to learn new things and gain knowledge about architectural principles."

As the Renaissance Kids program continues to grow and evolve, Moreno remains committed to making a difference in the lives of the young people he works with. He is already looking ahead to future collaborations and projects, expressing his excitement about what upcoming partnerships could achieve next year. His passion for architecture and his belief in its power to shape communities are evident in every project he undertakes.

"Architecture is about problem-solving," he says. "Every project has meaning behind it, and it can have a greater impact on society and the social fabric of a community."