Camp Philly, Presented by Bank of America, Will Provide 200 Children from Philadelphia with an Opportunity to Attend Overnight Camp in the Pocono Mountains
PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Jim Kenney and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell were joined by Jim Dever of Bank of America, and Shaun Elliot, President of the Freedom Valley YMCA, to announce the details of the 2019 Camp Philly program. Camp Philly is a partnership between Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA that provides an opportunity for 200 children between the ages of 8 and 12 to experience the independence and joys of camping in a rural setting.
“I am thrilled to kick off the third year of the Camp Philly program,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “This wonderful program provides 200 of our young people with an opportunity to escape the confines of city life by traveling to the magnificent Pocono Mountains where they will explore and be inspired by nature, develop valuable skills like teamwork, creativity, and confidence, and learn about the world around them.”
Camp Philly will run two one-week sessions at Camp Speers YMCA in the Pocono Mountains. The first session will begin on Sunday, August 11. The second session will begin the following week on Sunday, August 18. During their session, campers will participate in a wide range of interactive programming, like archery, horseback riding, drama lessons, and swimming, where they will develop key skills such as decision making, creativity, confidence, and teamwork in the process. Through these activities, campers will be exposed to new concepts and complex ideas about the world around them.
“Supporting initiatives like Camp Philly helps to further the development and expand opportunities for children in our region, thus advancing economic mobility,” said Jim Dever, Philadelphia Market President, Bank of America. “We are proud to continue our support of Camp Philly and are honored to partner with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Greater Philadelphia YMCA to make it possible.”
The funding provided in support of Camp Philly by sponsors will enable the campers Philadelphia to attend Camp Philly and receive all camp necessities for free. Camp necessities include accommodations, daily meals, and snacks, transportation, programming, camp counselors, supervisory and support staff, program amenities, shirts, sleeping bags, and toiletries.
Camp Philly is presented by Bank of America and Philadelphia Building and Trades Council, with support from the following sponsors: Leo Niessen Charitable Trust, Cozen O’Connor, JJ White Inc., Johnson Kendall & Johnson, The Segal Family, 10 K Kids Foundation, Seravalli Family Foundation, Steamfitters Local 420, IBEW Local 98, Sprinkler fitters Local 692, IUPAT Local 21, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1, Ken and Judy Weinstein, and the International Association Ironworkers Local 401.
“Supporting initiatives like Camp Philly helps to further the development and expand opportunities for children in our region, thus advancing economic mobility,” said Jim Dever, Philadelphia Market President, Bank of America. “We are proud to continue our support of Camp Philly and are honored to partner with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA to make it possible.”
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.
“We are excited to be in our second year of partnership with the City in bringing Camp Philly to kids in Philadelphia,” said Shaun Elliott, CEO, Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA. “Our overnight camp, Camp Speers, will allow kids to experience new outdoor activities like canoeing, sailing, archery and hiking. There is no better investment we can make than in the lives of our kids and this partnership has real impact on each of them.”
“The partnership cultivated with the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA creates such a unique experience for so many children in our city,” said Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell. “I am so excited for our campers to have fun this summer exploring and playing in nature.”
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) advances the prosperity of the city and the progress of her 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 www.phila.gov/parksandrec, and follow @philaparkandrec on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr.