| Ohio Conference United Church of Christ |
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| United Church News | ||
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Campership fund running low |
Article from United Church News, page 2, December 2000 |
| Last
summer almost 1500 children, youth and adults attended an Ohio
Conference summer camp. Almost 115 of them probably would not have been
able to enjoy camp if it had not been for camperships. What is a
campership? It’s a scholarship—for camp! But a camper doesn’t have
to take tests, write essays, or fill out complicated financial
statements like college students requesting financial aid. All they have
to do is complete a very simple form, have it signed by their pastor,
and send it in with their camp registration!
Everyone who requests assistance receives it. "We don’t want a camper to miss camp because of fees," said Helen Schultz, camp registrar. "But sometimes, like last summer, we aren’t able to give campers as much assistance as they request," she added. Last summer, most one-week camp fees were between $270 and $300 at the lowest discounted rates, available to people who registered by March 31. The 115 campership requests ranged from $20 to $200. The maximum campership given is 60% of the lowest rate. A common campership given last summer was around $100. In contrast, in 1999 164 requests of $25 to $200 were received, and all campers received the amount they requested. "Our campership fund level was higher going into the 1999 season," said Schultz. "Some years we don’t have enough funds to go around. The fund for this coming summer is lower than usual." Campership funds come from several different sources. Many churches maintain their own fund and give camperships to members of their congregations. Donations to the Conference campership fund come from individuals, churches and the five Associations. Some people take creative approaches to raising campership funds. Last summer Minister for Outdoor Ministries Cynthia Speller had a ‘clearance sale’ of her handmade pottery items at the Annual Gathering and donated the proceeds—more than $400—to the campership fund. But much more is needed if the Conference is to be able to give a campership to everyone who requests one next summer. "We are requesting campership fund contributions from people who remember having a great time at church camp and would like to help somebody else have that experience," said Cynthia Speller. Campership donations can be sent to the Ohio Conference, 6161 Busch Boulevard, Suite 95, Columbus OH 43229. For more information call Cynthia Speller or Helen Schultz at 800-282-0740 or 614-885-0722. |