Camperships
DESCRIPTION OF NEED
Youth need to be able to participate in outdoor activities that are designed to shape values, develop character, build relationship & leadership skills, encourage service to others and teach an appreciation for environmental education and learning.
The Minsi Trails Council offers a variety of age and skill specific activities to help them meet these needs. No where is this more evident that at Summer Camp. Independent studies done by Louis Harris & Associates have proven that youth who attend camp report greater levels of confidence, self-esteem, teamwork and an appreciation of their environment that other children.
Membership in Scouting is at record levels. We recently completed our 30th year of consecutive membership growth. When coupled with the 600 children that recently joined our Urban Scouting Program, the need for summer camp assistance for youth at risk is greater now than ever before.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The “Campership” Program is an integral and ongoing part of the Council’s outdoor youth development program. Broadly speaking, the goal of the Campership Program is to make it possible for economically disenfranchised urban youth to participate in Scouting’s Summer Camping Programs. Our objectives are to enable deserving youth from throughout our Council territory to attend camp at any of our three resident camps or ten day camps owned or leased by the Minsi Trails Council. Summer Camp provides our Council with an opportunity to continue to provide relevant and accessible camping adventures throughout the summer months, building character, enhancing self-confidence and developing both leadership and citizenship skills.
We are requesting funding to help support our Campership Program for the summer of 2009. Last year was another record year for summer camp attendance in the Minsi Trails Council and we anticipate this year to be even larger, with over 5,000 children expected to be in attend camp. Many of these children will be from our Urban Scouting Program, which increased by over 600 children this past fall. Your support will help us support these families most in need of financial assistance by giving their children the chance to participate in a full range camping experiences, events that will provide positive memories that will last throughout their lifetime.
GOALS & OBJECTIVES
In 2008, the Minsi Trails Council provided 176 youth with Campership assistance totaling $27,950 (average support of $158.00 per boy.) This amount exceeded our stated objectives for 2008, which was to secure $25,000 in support of 175 boys. As our Urban Scouting Programs continue to grow, more youth are realizing the fun and adventure (as well as the benefits) of summer camp!
With the growth in Urban Scouting, our Council realizes the need to increase our ability to provide these relevant programs to all youth that wish to participate. We anticipate that in 2009, we will need to fund an additional 50 children (225 total youth served) at our various camps, costing the Council an additional $7,000 ($35,000 total budget.)