SCOPE, standing for “Summer Camp Opportunities Provide Education,” is the second largest contributor to Holiday Home Camp. This independent, non-profit organization holds annual fundraising events put together by the Midwest camp community, with a big emphasis on supporting Holiday Home. During summer 2012, $16,000 was provided to the camp, which allowed 32 children to be awarded annual “camperships.” SCOPE Midwest board member Sandy Cohen, who directs Camp Marimeta in Eagle River, sees these “camperships” as an investment in the future.
“I love having the opportunity to be a part of raising tomorrow’s children. Children of today to be our society tomorrow. Being an important part of their lives, I have the chance to make tomorrow a better place,” Cohen says.
Summer camp is important in the present, too. SCOPE Midwest President Dayna Hardin believes that these “camperships” allow disadvantaged youth to stay off the streets and receive a fun, educational experience where they are able to learn and grow.
“Every child deserves a camp experience, regardless of their socioeconomic background… No matter where they are coming from, no matter how much money or how little money they have, [camp] is really part of becoming a whole person,” Hardin says.
The Holiday Home experience extends beyond childhood years. After eighth grade, some campers decide to become part of the camp’s ELITE teen program (Excellent Leaders In Training Everyday). This group of previous campers meets with Usher throughout the year to participate in community service.
“One of the first things about being a leader is helping those who are less fortunate than yourself,” Usher says.
This program allows past campers ages 14-17 to receive additional learning opportunities, such as college visits, that they may not have had the chance to do otherwise. It expands their lifelong learning skills and shows them the importance of coming together as a whole.
“To me, camp means teamwork because no matter what you do, in some way you work together with people,” wrote an ELITE camper in an online testimonial. “Also camp has given me more responsibility, especially since the leadership program! When I go home I use the skills that I learned at HHC back at home in my everyday life.”
One of the most rewarding parts of Usher’s job is seeing the campers’ smiling faces wanting to come back year after year.
“The most important thing for [people] to realize is that, for these kids, summer camp is not just a vacation. Summer camp is something that changes their lives. When they’re here, they feel empowered, and they’ve learned about themselves that they can be so much more than they thought they could.”
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