Send a Child to Camp: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Send a Child to Camp Fund?

The Send a Child to Camp Fund is an opportunity to give directly to the many children who will benefit from the camp experience but whose families may not otherwise be able to afford either day camp or resident camp for their children.

To which camps will Send a Child to Camp Fund contributions be distributed?

The program was originally launched in five regional areas of the country: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and New York City. ACA-ccredited nonprofit camps in these areas were eligible for consideration and, in that first year, were selected by ACA at the regional level.

How will the children who benefit from the Send a Child to Camp Fund be selected?

Currently ACA is teaming up with local and regional organizations to identify children in need and select the recipients of Send a Child to Camp scholarships.

Why concentrate on children from financially disadvantaged backgrounds?

Every child to some extent experiences summer learning loss, which is the result of the lack of organized learning during the summer that causes some information and skills learned during the school year to be lost. Children whose families are not struggling financially have more opportunity to participate in camp and other educational programs during the summer that will help their minds stay sharp and retain more of what they learned during the school year. We believe children whose families are financially disadvantaged should have the same opportunity.

In addition, Send a Child to Camp scholarships help children from financially disadvantaged backgrounds to constructively learn independence and safe risk-taking, build essential mentor relationships, and reap the benefits of connecting with nature.

What kinds of camps can participate in ACA’s Send a Child to Camp Fund camp scholarship program?

Participating camps must be nonprofit and accredited by ACA. Both resident camps and day camps in participating regional areas are eligible to take part in the program and play a crucial role in changing the lives of children in need.

Are there plans to expand the program to other camps in regions of the country not currently included?

As the Send a Child to Camp Fund grows each year, ACA will broaden participation to other regions until we are able to include camps and serve children across the entire country.

How can you be sure that 82 cents of every dollar contributed will go directly to send a child in need to camp?

Contributions made to the Send a Child to Camp Fund are audited annually and the expenditures are tracked carefully according to general accounting principles.

For more information on how you can help change a child's life, contact contribute@ACAcamps.org or 765-342-8456, ext. 501.