The Early Bird Catches the Camp Funding

The snow is falling and the temperature is dropping, so now is the time to think about summer camp!  It is also the time to think about how you will pay for summer camp.  Hitting the lottery is one option, but in case that doesn’t work out, below are some other ideas for funding.

Important! Funding sources won’t consider helping you until you have a camp that is willing to accept your child.  E-mail us at RCSN or call (212) 677-4650 x20.  You can also order our Camps (2009-2010) directory online by clicking here.

Family Reimbursement
If your child has a developmental disability such as mental retardation, autism or cerebral palsy, you might be able to obtain financial aid for camp through a program called Family Reimbursement.  Even though it is called reimbursement, sometimes a check can be sent to the camp in your child’s name without you having to pay out-of-pocket.  To find out more, click on the links below to contact your borough's Developmental Disabilities Services office:

• Bronx: (718) 430-0752
• Brooklyn: (718) 642-6520
• Manhattan: (212) 229-3122
• Queens: (718) 217-5722
• Staten Island: (718) 982-1904

SCOPE Scholarship
If the camp you are interested in is accredited by the American Camping Association, your child’s tuition to the camp might be subsidized by a funding program called the SCOPE Scholarship.  For a list of participating camps, click here. For more information and to apply, you can contact: 

• SCOPE at (646) 278-4557 or info@scope-ny.org
• American Camping Association at 1-800-777-CAMP or camp@aca-ny.org

Fraternal Organizations
There are charitable groups called fraternal organizations that can also provide assistance. Click on the links below to find fraternal organizations near you that you can contact directly for assistance:

• Lions Clubs
• Elks Clubs
• Knights of Columbus
• Knights of Pythias
• Kiwanis Clubs
• Rotary Clubs

Autism Speaks
If you have a child with an autism spectrum disorder, click here to learn about and apply for the Baker Summer Camp program, sponsored by Autism Speaks. For more information, contact Autism Speaks at (212) 252-8584 or contactus@autismspeaks.org.

FACES
If you have a child with a seizure disorder, FACES (Finding A Cure for Epilepsy and Seizures) has a camp scholarship program that can help. For more information on how to apply for their summer camp scholarship program, contact FACES at (646) 558-0900 or facesinfo@nyumc.org.

“Summertime and the living is easy... if you get the right camp and funding!”