Amidst the continuing challenge of Covid-19, Camps for Kids remains whole heartedly committed to our mission: to see that every Kansas City area special needs and underprivileged child can experience the joy, benefits, and discovery summer camp provides. The COVID-19 pandemic presented serious challenges for all our network camps in 2020, still over 1900 children and youth were served in 2020 and no child was turned away because of inability to pay. This solidifies and reaffirms our belief about what’s truly important: family, friends, health, and the support of the community especially for those most in need.
Due to the on-going concern over COVID-19 and large gatherings, our 22 network camps are looking at 2021 as a fresh chapter with a new and different look – most are working to plan smaller camps, hopefully held more often, that will limit attendees to ensure social distancing and best practices for campers as well as camp staff; some camps are offering all day camps with limited overnights. Several camps will continue to utilize a combination of in-person and virtual camps. Several of our camps are for children and youth with serious medical challenges such as spina bifida, cancer, chronic heart and kidney diseases, etc. Due to the increased health risk for these campers, they will primarily experience virtual camp again this year, though they plan several outdoor events and celebrations in person! One step closer to camp as we used to know it!
The camps are working diligently to ensure the camp experience will still have the same undeniable feel and continue to provide life changing opportunities, just in a different structure. Given new conditions our camps are having to budget and allocate funds differently as they require more sessions with fewer campers, more staff, volunteers, and PPE, than they have ever needed. The value of the camping experience is especially important for the wellbeing and flourishing of disadvantaged and special needs children and youth given the compounding impact COVID-19 had on schools and education the past year.
As a result, the need for your continued support is greater than ever.
A camp director noted the impact of our program.
“Without the support of Camps For Kids, CHD Families would be unable to provide a free medically supervised summer camp for kids with Congenital Heart Defects.” -Camp Director
As campers and a parent commented:
“At camp, I feel like a normal kid and can do everything a normal kid can do and make friends”. a ten-yr. old camper
“Thank you for this amazing gift. My son would never have been able to attend camp this year without your help. He learned so much and had so much fun he can’t wait for school so he can show off all his new knowledge!” – a parent
- Make donations payable to Camps For Kids and send to our office at:
Camps For Kids
5913 Woodson Rd. Suite 211
Mission, KS 66202 - Or click the DONATE button.
“I can see what other kids have gone through and how they survived. It helps me get through & conquer. We are all survivors. That’s a gift.” a twelve year old camper
Thank you for your gift!
How You Can Help
Donate to the Camps For Kids Campaign
You can donate directly to the Camps For Kids Campaign
Attend Camps For Kids Fundraising Events
We are very excited to again host one of our favorite fundraising events, Cocktails & Camp Tales: Under the Stars. This year, the event will be Saturday, November 9, 2019 at Foundation Event Space in downtown Kansas City. We hope you will be able to join us! The evening includes cocktails and dinner, a brief program, a silent and live auction, and dancing. For more information and to register, please call 816.839.6494.
Volunteer with our Board of Directors
Join in, and help out a camp! Email Regina Weir at: info@campsforkids.org
Contact a camp and ask what you can do to help
Ask a camp directly what support they need.
Testimonials
“As we expected camp has been WONDERFUL. The genuine smile on (my daughter’s) face in the pictures I took at drop off and the ones the counselors are sending me are testament to what an amazing thing you are doing. Thank you so very, very much! ”
“I can see what other kids have gone through and how they survived. It helps me get through & conquer. We are all survivors. That’s a gift.”
“When I'm at camp, I feel like a normal kid. Some kids don't get to go outside because our parents are just working too much and too hard. At home, I'm just watching movies all day. I don't want to get too old to come to Wildwood.”
“Without the support of Camps for Kids and the matching fund, CHD Families would be unable to provide a free medically supervised summer camp for kids with Congenital Heart Defects.”
“I look back on the struggle of my childhood and one of the most important and best childhood memories I have include the time spent at camp with the amazing men and women who treated me like I was normal despite my struggle”