City Partners with Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA to Launch CAMP Philly
200 Children Provided Scholarships to Attend Overnight Summer Camp in the Poconos
Philadelphia- Mayor Jim Kenney and city officials, as well as public and private partners launched the inaugural CAMP Philly program today. CAMP Philly is a new partnership between Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and YMCA Camp Speers that will provide an opportunity for children between the ages of 9 and 11 to experience the independence of camping in a rural setting, worlds away from their everyday urban environment.
Beginning August 13, 2017, CAMP Philly will run two one-week sessions at Camp Speers YMCA. 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.
“It is crucial for young people to have the opportunity to experience the beauty and serenity of nature outside the confines of the city,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “I know that this extraordinary opportunity will expand their minds and inspire them in immeasurable ways.”
The City and the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA worked together to raise awareness and funding to support CAMP Philly. Community partners, business leaders, and individual donors helped to fund the $150,000.00 program. CAMP Philly is presented by Bank of America and includes support from the following: Chubb, HAPCO, K Ten Kids Foundation Inc., Patty and Stephen Segal, Judy and Ken Weinstein, Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr., and Jazelle Jones, Councilman At-Large Allan Domb, Stephen Starr, The Mayor’s Fund, The Tuttleman Foundation, and Seravalli, Inc.
“We are committed to helping advance economic mobility by supporting initiatives like Camp Philly and expanding opportunities – especially for youth,” said Jim Dever, Philadelphia Market President, Bank of America. “We are thrilled to support Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and YMCA Camp Speers, and are excited to watch these young people grow through new opportunities like this.”
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 excited to partner with the city on such an important initiative,” said Shaun Elliott, President and CEO, Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA. There is no better investment than in the lives of the children and our next generation. The y is thrilled to be part of the journey in these kids’ lives.”
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.
“We are very grateful to partner with the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA,” said Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell. “Together we will give these children a summer they’ll never forget.”
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 us at www.phila.gov/parksandrec, and follow @philaparkandrec on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Tumblr.
Philadelphia Freedom Valley 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 Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA serves more than 200,000 individuals a year – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in 20 YMCA locations throughout Berks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Pike counties and the Poconos, the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. 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.