150 Philadelphia youth received scholarships to attend the overnight summer camp in the Poconos
PHILADELPHIA–Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation kicked off the 2024 Camp Philly program today at DiSilvestro Playground. Camp Philly is a partnership between Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and The Greater Philadelphia YMCA’s Camp Speers that will provide an opportunity for PhIladelphia youth between the ages of 8 and 12 to experience the independence of camping in a rural setting, worlds away from their everyday urban environment.
Beginning August 11, 2024, Camp Philly will run two one-week sessions at Camp Speers YMCA in the Poconos. Opened in 1948, Camp Speers was the first ever racially-integrated YMCA overnight camp in America. The 1,100 acre campground includes a private 36-acre lake and 400 acres of conservation easement property dedicated to education and wildlife preserve.
“Thanks to our partners, youth in Philadelphia will have the amazing opportunity to experience the beauty and serenity of nature outside the confines of the city,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “These young campers will make memories that last a lifetime at Camp Philly.”
The City and the Greater Philadelphia YMCA worked together to raise awareness and funding to support Camp Philly. Community partners, business leaders, and individual donors helped to fund the program. Camp Philly 2024 is presented by Bank of America, Tevah Fund and Kramer Marks Associates.
“The YMCA’s Camp Philly program in partnership with The City of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation provides students with a developmentally enriching experience where they learn problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, working with others, and emotional intelligence that has shown to make a difference with Philadelphia’s young people and the community,” said Jim Dever, President, Bank of America Greater Philadelphia. “For more than 20 years, Bank of America Greater Philadelphia has partnered with the YMCA as they work to connect young people in our region to the resources and experiences they need to succeed.”
The funds raised will enable campers to receive all camp necessities for free. Those necessities include camp accommodations, daily meals and snacks, transportation, programming, camp counselors, supervisory and support staff, program amenities, shirts, sleeping bags and toiletries.
”We are very happy to see this important initiative continue,” said Shaun Elliott, President and CEO, Greater Philadelphia YMCA. “There is no better investment than in the lives of children. And the camp experience is uniquely rewarding for kids – teaching them independence; immersing them in nature with all its lessons; and helping them develop a diverse set of friends who can expand their horizons. We know this investment will pay dividends over their lifetimes.”
Under the guidance of positive adult role models, campers will participate in a wide range of interactive programming, like archery, horseback riding, drama lessons and swimming, developing key skills such as decision making, creativity, confidence, and teamwork in the process. Through these activities designed to expose them to new concepts, Camp Philly participants will grow beyond their current frame of reference and develop more complex ideas about the world around them.
“The camp experience defines summer for many children in Philadelphia,” said Susan Slawson, Commissioner, Parks and Recreation. “Together with our partners, we will give campers a summer of fun in the Poconos.”
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Philadelphia Parks & Recreation: (PPR) advances the prosperity of the city and the progress of its people through intentional and sustained stewardship of nearly 10,200 acres of public land and waterways as well as through hundreds of safe, stimulating recreation, environmental and cultural centers. PPR promotes the well-being and growth of the city’s residents by connecting them to the natural world around them, to each other and to fun, physical and social opportunities. PPR is responsible for the upkeep of historically significant Philadelphia events and specialty venues, and works collaboratively with communities and organizations in leading capital projects and the introduction of inventive programming. To learn more about Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, visit us at www.phila.gov/parksandrec, and follow @philaparkandrec on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr.
Greater Philadelphia YMCA The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits, strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Throughout the Delaware Valley, the Greater Philadelphia YMCA serves more than 150,000 individuals each year – regardless of age, income or background – across 15 branches located in Berks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Pike, Burlington and Camden counties. Coupled with dozens of childcare sites, and one overnight camp in the Poconos, the Y has extraordinary reach in connecting people to healthier lives. For more information, please call 215-963- 3700 or visit philaymca.org.
Bank of America: At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter at @BofA_News.