This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

ACA New England's Campership Funds Give 150 Children the Chance to Attend Summer Camp

The American Camp Association, New England (ACA New England) is pleased to announce that its 2013 Campership Fund offered financial aid to over 150 campers in 2013. Ninety-four ACA Accredited camps New England-wide received campership funding on behalf of specific campers to help support these children in need, all whom ranged between the ages of 6-16.

ACA New England’s Campership Fund experienced a 50% increase in campers served during the summer of 2013, compared to the summer of 2012. These camperships were a result of fundraising efforts from last year’s Camp Champions Celebration, which honored Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.  Each year, the funds raised for each camper go directly to the camp they will be attending. New this year was the establishment of an “emergency funds” component, allowing ACA New England to assist those families and children affected by the Boston Marathon Bombings as well as those in sudden financial need.

Now in its 3rd year, this years’ Camp Champions Celebration will be taking place at Fenway Park on Friday, November 22nd. This year’s event will honor actress Eliza Dushku for her extraordinary work developing a program for girls at Camp Hale in New Hampshire where girls and teens from the Boston area can experience first-hand how life-changing camp can be. Dushku will be recognized for this work and for her commitment to spreading the message of the importance of summer camp in a young person’s life. Until last year, Camp Hale, a program of United South End Settlements, had an 100+ year tradition of hosting only boys, but through Dushku’s support, 2012 marked the establishment of their first all-girls program that is still growing strong with double the campers and length this past August (2013).

Find out what's happening in Watertownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“At ACA New England, we believe there is a camp for everyone, and that all children deserve the chance to have a summer camp experience,” said Bette Bussel, Executive Director of ACA New England. Through the ACA New England Campership Fund, campers had the opportunity to attend every type of camp available in all six New England states: day and overnight, specialty programs such as computer programming to outdoor wilderness, sports camps to dramatic arts, and so much more… which is the true spirit of what this fund is all about.”

This year’s 3rd Annual Camp Champions Celebration is open to the public. Adult tickets are $150 and children 12 and under are $75. For more information and how to get involved, please visit www.acanewengland.org/camp-champions

Find out what's happening in Watertownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Watertown