REACH OUTDOORS – CAMPS ARE FILLING UP!

As of today it is exactly one month until the camp season officially starts and I move down to Cedar Lake.  Taking a look at where we are for getting campers signed up this summer we are right on track. Our registration process has been keeping us busy.  Many of our traditional clubs have continued their dedication in sending kids from around the state.  We have also been able to recruit some new clubs to send kids for the first time.  The support and dedication from our clubs and individual members getting kids to camp makes a major impact on the lives of each kid.

Our program works with 80 kids each week and we run for 5 weeks in the summer time.  With 400 spots available each season you would think there would be lots of time to sign up your kids.  But, spaces are filling up we have already had to close a few camps for registration because they are full already.  Of the 13 different camp program themes we have available we have closed 6 of them because they are full.
In previous years we have fallen short of our goal of having a completely full camp.  The push is on this year to get our camp filled to capacity and there are several ways we can make that happen.

1. Know a kid that needs some outdoors in their life?  Send them to camp for the measly cost of $380-$425 we will take them for 6 days and 5 nights of outdoor adventure and experience. That’s only $63 per day.  The experience the will have at camp is well worth it. Plus camp is waaay more fun than being stuck at home.  They will be canoeing, fishing, swimming, doing archery, learning wilderness survival, and getting hunter safety certified with us.  You can’t do all that at home.
2. Talk to your club or your district about rounding up some kids and sending a group of them down to us at camp.  Many clubs already sponsor kids but there are always more kids to get outside. Having a club sponsor a youth makes it possible for kids to have the camp experience that will stick with them for a lifetime.
3. Even if your club doesn’t have any kids, consider making a donation to the camp scholarship fund.  By donating to this fund you give me the opportunity to match your money with kids from around the state who show a financial need, but may not be connected with a club.
4. Another way you can contribute is by helping us spread the word about the Riley Wilderness Youth Camp. SCI–Novi Chapter will provide all-expense paid scholarships for up to eighty boys and girls. (http://www.scinovi.com/rwyc.html). The RWYC program is created and sponsored by SCI-Novi Chapter, as a result of a generous donation from the Riley Foundation, whose founder is George F. Riley (SCI-Novi Chapter Member and SCI Life Member).

With all of these different ways to get kids to camp there is no better time to get the kid in your life signed up.  Registration applications can be found at https://mucc.org/home/education-programs/michigan-outofdoors-youth-camp/.  You can also call 1-800-777-6720 to get signed up over the phone.