Scholarships Expand Access to Summer Camp
Summer camp can offer children unique opportunities for exploration, learning, and personal growth. At Kidspace Summer Camp, we provide a nurturing and safe environment where children can benefit from enriched play and outdoor education. Access to quality summer camps is challenging for some families, particularly those with income restrictions. That’s why Kidspace is committed to offering equal access to all our play and learning opportunities, including camp.
We collaborate with partners like Families Forward Learning Center, an organization dedicated to providing free education and social services to low-income families with young children. Through partnerships like this, we identify families who could benefit from our summer camp experience and strive to provide full-tuition scholarships to 10% of campers.
“All our families are living below the poverty level, meaning that rent and food are the priorities,” said Liz Kwong, Director of Development for Families Forward. “Getting a chance to attend the Kidspace Summer Camp is an amazing experience for the children we serve. Without the generous scholarships, they would not be able to attend.”
Outdoor summer camps play a vital role in the holistic development of children. Camp promotes physical and mental well-being, enhances social skills, fosters independence and resilience, and expands knowledge and curiosity. For the children from Families Forward attending Kidspace Summer Camp, these experiences are particularly valuable as they are all preparing to start kindergarten.
Kwong shared, “The children loved learning about nature and experiencing something new every day. It was a hands-on learning experience that complemented their school education. They also made new friends and cherished their camp t-shirts!”
Summer camp experiences, such as Kidspace Summer Camp, play a vital role in a child’s development. Generous donors make scholarships possible, ensuring that families, regardless of their financial situation, can provide their children with this transformative experience. By supporting these scholarships, donors contribute to the growth and success of vulnerable children, helping them thrive as they enter school and beyond.
“Without the scholarships, our children would never have been able to attend the Kidspace Summer Camp,” said Kwong. “It is a special part of our program to help our families experience different enrichment opportunities. Places they would otherwise never be able to attend. We are lucky to have such wonderful partners as Kidspace, and others in the community offer these scholarships to our families.”
Kidspace Summer Camp provides children with unique and valuable experiences that foster exploration, learning, and growth. Through partnerships and scholarships, we strive to make these opportunities accessible to all families, including those facing financial constraints. By investing in summer camp experiences, donors contribute to the holistic development of children and empower them to succeed in school and life.