Connect Kids to Camp – 52 Camperships Awarded – $15,049.50

With support from The Columbus Youth Foundation and our Camp Wyandot alumni including the newly established Sally Hoeflinger McAlister Camp Wyandot Campership Fund, this year we awarded 52 camperships allocating a total of $15,049.50 for underserved youth to attend day and overnight camp this summer.

Our campership program, financial assistance towards payment of camp fees, also known as Connect Kids to Camp, allows our programs to be more accessible to create an inclusive camp community and to provide the opportunity for more youth to increase their knowledge, and appreciation of the natural environment while self-empowered to develop outdoor and social skills.  In a safe, supportive outdoor environment, campers plan, make choices, reflect, and learn from their experiences.   Camp Wyandot, Inc. allows youth to embrace their individuality, expand their imaginations, and develop new lifelong friendships as they learn from others to help realize their full potential.

Next year, we will limit campership support to three (3) years per child per family. Families that have already received three years of campership funding for a child, will not be eligible to apply next year for the same child.  This will allow us to provide the opportunity to more families.

The deadline for applications for Connect Kids to Camp is April 15 annually.

This year we have also received $7,975 in grant support from Barbasol Foundation to support full camperships for youth to attend Wyandot Overnight Camp from the Neighborhood House located in Eastside Columbus. Additionally, The Columbus Youth Foundation (Community Camp Fund and Helen E. Roberts Fund) has provided $10,000 in grant support towards camperships for youth from Gladden Community House in Franklinton and Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center to attend Wyandot Overnight Camp.

Additionally, this year we offered a full campership to Veteran Tickets Foundation and to USO of Central Ohio.

We are excited to have expanded our reach this year to enrich our community and increase our diversity.