American Camp Association Grants Summer Camp Scholarships to Hurricane Sandy Victims

The American Camp Association of New York and New Jersey grant hundreds of summer camp scholarships to children affected by Hurricane Sandy.

The American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey, a not for profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of summer camps, is giving hundreds of summer camp scholarships to children affected by the devastation of Hurricane Sandy through its Heal the Children Program.

boy rock climbingMore than 90 day and sleepaway camps are donating free summer camp sessions to children whose families have suffered from the massive October storm.

“In situations like this, we all wish that we could truly contribute in helping those in need and in our case, as camp operators, we actually can,” says Andy Pritikin, wwner and drector of Liberty Lake Day Camp in Mansfield Township, NJ.

Attending summer camp will give these children the opportunity to have something to look forward to in the immediate future, a positive camp experience, while also giving their families the time and energy to focus on rebuilding their lives. 

The Heal the Children program was created by The American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey in response to the horrific terrorist attacks on 9/11. The program provides free summer camp sessions to any child who lost a parent on 9/11. 

“In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, we once again saw children in our own communities suffering great loss,” says Scott Ralls, president of the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey.  “And once again, the summer camp community responded by giving these children a safe and wonderful summer at camp, allowing them to leave their troubles behind, even if just for a short time.”

The American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey is working in conjunction with local relief agencies to identify children in the most devastated regions that would benefit from a summer camp experience.

For further information about Heal the Children and the American Camp Association, New York and New Jersey, contact Jess Michaels at 212-391-5208.