Kids camp out for the homeless

Orange, Conn. (WTNH) - A group of kids in Orange are spending their Saturday night camping out, but it isn't for fun. They are holding a "freeze out" to raise awareness about homelessness.

The camp-out is taking place on the front lawn of the Orange Congregational Church , located at 205 Meetinghouse Lane.

Approximately 25 kids are participating in the event as part of their youth program. They will take one-hour shifts throughout the night, until 9 a.m. Sunday.

The kids will be spending the night in a make-shift shanty town made entirely of cardboard boxes, tape and string.

"Each year we have a different design with the boxes," said Beth Rafferty, Orange Congregational Church, "this year is a big open space so they can just kind of hang out and talk. And it actually stays quite warm in there, which is nice.

This year marks the fourth year the church will be hosting the "freeze out," raising money for Habitat for Humanity.

The church has already raised enough money to build one house for the homeless, and now they are hoping to build a second. Their goal is to raise $2,000.

The church says anyone who wants to bring hot chocolate down for the kids and possibly make a donation is welcome.