Three Groups that Made Summer Camp Happen

As the social services coordinator for Madison's Youth & Family Services, I administer the Camp Scholarship Program. I'd like to thank Madison Community Services, The Madison Foundation, and Neighbor 2 Neighbor for helping to send 43 children to summer camp. This is a record number, an increase of more than 100 percent from last year. The increased need is primarily due to the economic situation that many families are experiencing here in Madison.

Over the past several years, Madison Community Services has helped to send children between the ages of 5 and 12 to camp for a week. This year, it provided 28 children with the summer camp experience. I thank Madison Community Services for its continued support.

New this year, through the generosity of The Madison Foundation and Neighbor 2 Neighbor, we were able to offer camp scholarships to pre-teens and teens aged 12 to 15. With this help we were able to send 16 children in this age group for the first time ever. I thank these organizations for recognizing the need and coming to the kids' aid.

I cannot tell you how extremely helpful this program was to these families. Not only does this program provide financial assistance, it provides a camp experience that to some can be a life-changing experience. So, on behalf of every family that was able to receive the scholarships, I thank these organizations.

Wendy W. Larson
Social Services Coordinator
Madison Youth & Family Services