Educational Fun for All: Anne Shore Camp (ASC) Summer 2024

• 704 children of 572 members attended sleep-away camp.
• 665 children attended through one of the program’s 21 contracted camp providers, located across six states throughout the Northeast.
• 8 children took advantage of the one-week trial sessions, which were restored in 2023. These shorter “taste of camp” sessions were offered by select camps to first-time campers ages 9 to 11.
• 39 children attended through ASC’s Independent Camp Program.

ASC’S POSITIVE IMPACT ON MEMBERS:

Sleep-away camp is an extremely powerful experience for youth of all ages. Aside from giving them amazing new experiences, it gets them outside, reduces screen time and makes a significant impact on their social, emotional and cognitive health. Campers learn to work better with others, develop their decision-making skills and build meaningful relationships. In turn, these skills help promote independence and self-confidence. In response to ASC’s summer 2024 Member Satisfaction Survey:

• 93 percent of children said they liked or loved their camp experience. When given the opportunity to leave more personalized feedback, here’s what parents had to say:
• “My daughter had the time of her life…she thoroughly enjoyed herself. She had a tough year at school, and this camp experience was the reset she needed. Thank you, 1199, for this amazing opportunity.”
• “The lessons camp teaches young girls are so important, and they have a blast while being there. My daughter is scared of heights, but she rope-climbed. She learned how to do her hair without Mom’s help. She got a bull’s-eye in archery and she rode a horse, which takes discipline and a gentle soul to connect with the horse and build trust with it. She gained a group of girls as lifelong camp friends, worked hard for what she wants—there’s so much a pre-teen can gain in life skills from attending camp.”
• “It’s not easy sending your child away for the first time. My son came back with new skills and experiences and a greater sense of independence. His connection with his counselors helped him battle his homesickness while fostering a new talent.”
• 96 percent of members reported they are likely to apply again.
• 98 percent of members said they are likely to recommend the program to another member.

2024 CHILD CARE CORPORATION (CCC) SCHOLARSHIPS

10 program alums who had aged out of ASC received a CCC scholarship to attend their camp’s Leader-in-Training (LIT) or Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Program. ASC participants frequently demonstrate significant growth in leadership skill development and, often, participation in a camp’s leadership program can lead directly to future summer employment there.

ASC’S SUMMER 2025 CAMP FAIR

• Held on Saturday, October 19, 2024, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, at the Benefit Funds’ 498 Seventh Avenue headquarters.
• 19 of 24 camp providers participated.
• The American Camp Association, Dial-a-Teacher and staff from the Benefit Funds’ Wellness Member Assistance Program also participated.
• 28 families (68 people) attended.
• Members and their children had the opportunity to speak directly with ASC’s participating camp providers, ask questions and gain a better understanding of the unique programming each camp offers. Families came away with valuable information to make their camp/session preference selections on the application.

OTHER ASC EVENTS

• Online events for summer 2025 were hosted in mid-January:
• Online Special Needs Camp Fair (Wednesday, January 15, 2025, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm)
• Consisted of four presentations, including ASC’s three special-needs camp providers (Ramapo for Children, Camp Reece and the Southampton Fresh Air Home) and ASC’s Independent Camp Program.
• 5 families attended.