Camp Kern

We LOVE Dr. Seuss at Camp Kern!  The timeless designs, memorable characters, and great messages are really powerful for kids.  This points to so much of what Camp Kern does with kids.  The YMCA’s values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility come out in the every-day interactions of campers and counselors, and are often just as subtle and textured as the wonderful Doctor’s.

We’re all excited for another summer of camp, for the Lorax movie, and the opportunity to continue to make a difference in the lives of kids!

Camp Kern’s own Executive Director has been featured in the November/December edition of Camping Magazine! His article, “Why the world needs summer camp” has been posted on Camp Kern’s blog before, but now it is being shared with even more people across the Camping industry. Check it out on the American Camp Association website here:

http://www.acacamps.org/campmag/1111/why-world-needs-summer-camp

or read the rest of the online magazine here:

http://www.acacamps.org/campmag/1111

Camp Kern is building TONS of new stuff this fall/winter/spring!  By the time summer rolls around again, many new buildings will be up, and Camp Kern’s campers will be able to enjoy even more comfortable accommodations.  Keep an eye out for New Construction for updates and announcements!

Just a few days past (ask anyone who was here for Labor Day Family Camp) the old sports shed was still in place.  5′ x 8′, dark, sharp pointy edges on things, and a strange smell all combined to make any foray into the sports shed an epic undertaking.

But now, behold…the NEW sports shed!  At least…the framing so far.

The Maintenance staff (Chuck, Scotty, Robbie, Craig, and Ron) are refurbishing the shed and making it something less likely to devour a counselor whole.

Keep an eye on the blog and Facebook for more updates!

Camp Kern is very excited to be hosting Mickey’s Camp this September!  Mickey’s Camp has created a unique experience for men to not only relax and bond with one another, but a place that gives back to charity as well.  Over the past years, Mickey’s Camp has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for non-profits in Indiana, and they are now expanding to one location in Ohio…Camp Kern!

Check out lots more information and registration options at Mickey’s Camp’s website:

www.mickeyscamp.com

And check out some local press about the camp here.

[Dayton, OH, 07/11/11] –

When the school year ends, so do free meals for the millions of children in low-income households who depend on them most. This summer, the YMCA of Greater Dayton is offering free nutritious meals to children in Dayton, Trotwood, West Carrolton, Huber Heights, Xenia and Fairborn communities this summer, thanks to a $85,000 grant from YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) and Walmart to feed more children through the national Summer Food Service Program. The program, run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), provides free meals to children aged 18 and under while school is out of session. Nationally, more than 300 Ys will provide 7 million meals to 70,000 children this summer.

Click here to read more about this great program!

Check out photos of the week so far at Camp Kern!  There have been sightings of pirates throughout the week…although it seems they are gathering in even greater numbers today.  Beware the Jolly Roger!

The scholarship campaign is still ongoing!  Forward the message on to your friends and encourage them to do the same!

Here is a sample request letter received THIS YEAR from a local Camp Kern family:

My son will be attending his fourth year at YMCA Camp Kern with a big thank you from me to you. As I have stated in other forms I am extremely ill. I have three feeding tubes, and was recently diagnosed with a form of lupus. His dad left when he was almost four and took his brother. Father to both but only wanted one. He has some huge hurdles to in life to deal with for a 10 year old, but his grades are good and he just recently started going to church. I may spend 1 or 2 weeks in the hospital here and then a month in a treatment clinic this summer. Please consider this when deciding to grant scholarships. If there is someone that needs it more than him we understand. He also has been trying to earn extra money by mowing lawns because he wants to go for two weeks. We realize you cannot put scholarships for week 2 but we feel he is excited to do this and if he can get his mind off of his mom lying on the couch with feeding tubes and home nursing visits it would be great for him. Thank you for the past years of support and we hope to see you soon.

(Names have been removed to provide anonymity.)

To donate:  go to www.facebook.com/campkern

Today launches Camp Kern’s 40 Days for 100 More Kids Scholarship Drive!

Help spread the word, and repost this blog post, or direct people to facebook.com/campkern.

There are tons of ways to make a donation and pledge your support.  Pass this information to people you know who would be interested in helping 100 needy kids and families experience the magic of summer camp.

Feel free to forward, download, print and share this information ANYWHERE!

Camp Kern raises money for our Strong Kids “Send a kid to camp” scholarship fund each and every year.  The money goes to help make camp a possibility for all of the kids who want and need camp, but aren’t able to attend.  This year Camp Kern is raising $81,000 to support the fund, so we can send 180 campers to a week of summer camp!

There are a ton of ways to get involved, and make camp possible for needy kids and families in the Dayton area:

• You can forward a link to our form to your friends:  http://www.campkern.org/getinvolved/kern_strong_kids.pdf
• You can pledge by text – Text “camper” to 20222 to donate $10
• You can download the form and make a donation yourself.
• Kids can even earn a free week of camp when they raise money!