Date: Fri 17-May-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Campership-Fund-summer

Full Text:

with cuts: The Campership Fund: Making Certain Summer Doesn't Pass A Child By

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Deb, who suffers from Chrons Disease, does not have much energy to play with

her two children and is swamped by medical bills. Beth is a single mother

trying to make ends meet while caring for her two children, one of whom has

special needs.

A bright spot for both of these Newtown families comes each year when they are

given a Campership Fund scholarship for the children to attend the Park and

Recreation summer camp. Five years ago when the program began, ten

scholarships were given out; this year it is expected that 70 children will

receive assistance.

"In a lot of the families we're working with, the people are really struggling

to meet their basic needs," said Director of Human Resources Sheila Knox. "I

think [the scholarship program is] important because it's positive youth

development... These kinds of things are low cost prevention." Children learn

to use their leisure time in a constructive way and a positive self-image

usually results, she added.

The cost to send one child to camp for two weeks is $101; four weeks, $181;

and six weeks, $251. "We always expect the parents to contribute something,"

said Ms Knox. "Usually we pay 25 to 50 percent. We try to keep it at that so

we can help more kids every year."

"My income is very limited. The Campership Fund enables the children to enjoy

the summer in a structured environment instead of sitting at home, watching TV

or playing in the yard," said Beth. "They have instruction as well as

activities that are fun."

Referrals for the scholarship fund come from schools, the Social Service

Department, Park and Recreation, and Youth Services. In response to the needs

of the children in the community, the program was expanded last year to

support additional positive youth development activities such as sports,

music, and dance.

Beth said she feels the Campership Fund brings the community together. It

allows less fortunate people in Newtown to use the pool and playground

facilities that are accessible, she said. "The fund is really a wonderful

thing," said Beth. "Otherwise we'd be forced to stay at home or go to Danbury.

That would be really difficult for me - the expense of driving back and forth

every day."

Deb said her children get so much out of summer camp - swimming lessons, field

trips to Discovery Zone and a roller skating rink, pizza day, a barbecue, and

they learn new songs and games - things they normally wouldn't be able to

enjoy because there is no money left after paying medical bills. When asked if

she wanted to go to camp again this year and be with kids her age, Deb's

7«-year-old daughter Kristine said, "Yeah, because they're my best friends."

"I really like Newtown because parents are really involved with their children

educationally and recreationally," said Beth. "I think that's what makes it a

really nice place to live. We want good things. It's [financially] hard to

live in Newtown as it is, but I think it's a lot more beneficial for the kids.

The Campership Fund gives the opportunity to people who can't afford it to

have a nice summer."

Campership Fund donations may be made to Social Services, 45 Main Street,

Newtown 06470. For more information on the fund, contact Newtown Social

Services at 270-4330 or Park and Recreation Department at 270-4340.