Campership
While retaining flexibility to serve the East Bay Regional Park District as needed, the Foundation annually raises funds to provide support for a group of core program initiatives. One of the core programs is Campership.
This top priority program of the Regional Parks Foundation raises funds to provide camping scholarships for youngsters from low-income families residing within Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. These scholarships, also known as "Camperships," offer a one-of-a-kind experience in the Regional Parks to at-risk and disabled youth who otherwise would not be able to attend camp during the summer or participate in outdoor environmental education during the academic school year.
The goal of the overall Campership Program is to provide an equal opportunity for our East Bay residents to participate in Park District programs and activities so that no one is turned away due to limited financial resources.
Summer Day Camping in the Regional Parks
Part of the ongoing fundraising efforts of the Regional Parks Foundation includes raising the essential support for summer day-camping programs. Each year, the Foundation supports hundreds of low-income, at-risk and disabled youth to attend week-long camps to learn more about their environment, make new friends, and study the wildlife that lives in the Regional Parks. One such program - Park'n It Day Camp - offers five separate weeks of fun in the sun that kids can choose from, and features Regional Park explorations, swimming, fishing, hiking, arts, crafts and games. Scholarships provided by the Regional Parks Foundation, also known as "Camperships," ensure that disadvantaged youth are given the same opportunities as other youngsters.
Campership funding also supports individual swimming lessons and an Open Water Junior Lifeguard Program, where kids ages 9 to 15 can learn water safety/rescue skills, first aid, and CPR in a fun and challenging environment. Each day, participants enjoy a variety of beach and water activities designed to promote fitness, self-esteem, and teamwork. Focus is given to personal safety and community service. In addition to the extensive core curriculum, a special theme will be emphasized each session.
Camp Arroyo
In addition to offering a variety of summer day camping options throughout the East Bay Regional Park District, the Foundation also supports classrooms of students in the 4th and 5th grades to embark on a week-long outdoor retreat at Camp Arroyo in Livermore, a state-of-the-art "green" facility where school-aged children come to learn about the environment and conservation while at the same time meeting their educational requirements set forth by the State of California.
To donate to the Campership program online, please CLICK HERE.
To download a mailable donation card, please CLICK HERE.