This summer, 28 Oceana students will attend summer camp with the support of the Shelby Rotary Club, the Oceana Community Foundation (OCF) and its donor-advised partners! These students received a total of $6,865 in camp scholarships (or ‘camperships’) with individual awards ranging from $100 to $500 each. All applicants received a campership to help offset the cost.
Since 2015, the Shelby Rotary Club and the OCF have partnered each spring to provide camperships designed to help area youth experience a summer highlight. This initiative aims to make camp experiences accessible to children of all financial backgrounds, encouraging them to explore their interests and develop new skills outside the classroom. Students can apply for support for any camp of their choice, including arts, sports, faith, nature, leadership or academic-focused programs. The camp program supports both day and overnight camps, including those located across Michigan. Shelby Rotarian and Shelby Library Director Tiffany Haight oversees the scholarship application and selection process and is the main contact for any questions regarding the scholarship program.
“As a parent and librarian, I see firsthand what a difference a camp experience can have on a child’s life,” Haight shared. “It can be simple pleasures like swimming in a lake, staying up late in their cabin having 'parties' or trying a new activity that can make a big difference to a child’s outlook on life. They come home with new stories, friendships and cherished memories. Every child should be able to attend camp if they want, regardless of their family’s financial situation, and enjoy the opportunity to relax, have fun and be carefree.”
Camp is often a respite for young people, a break away from their daily lives to try something new and meet new people. Applicants shared in their essays how they want to improve their musical or sports skills, push themselves to try new things or learn how to hone their leadership and advocacy skills. Many acknowledged that lack of funds or other family struggles were a barrier to attending camp.
Awards were given to students of all ages, ranging from 3rd to 12th graders, across all school districts. Some will be attending local West Michigan camps like Camp Ao-Wa-Kiya, Grace Adventures and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Other popular choices include Timber Wolf Lake - A Young Life Camp, sports camps at colleges, MyLead Leadership, Boy Scouts, Citizen Washington 4-H Camp, Camp Miniwanca Leadership Conference and Lake Ann Camp.
This year’s camperships were supported by eight of the OCF's donor-advised funds, including the Shelby Rotary Club Fund, Hart Rotary Club Fund, Kimmel Family Fund, Thomas Clair Fund for Young Musicians, Carnes Family Fund for Music Arts Camp, Pentwater Service Club Fund, David P. Markiewicz Memorial Fund and the Boy Scout Camp Fund.
Questions regarding the campership program can be directed to Haight at the Shelby Area District Library. To support future campership awards or establish your own named fund, please contact Foundation CEO Tammy Carey at tammy@oceanafoundation.org or 231-869-3377.
