As summer winds down and we look forward to the academic year ahead, we are grateful for the adventures afforded our youth over the break. In particular, the gift of summer camp attendance played a significant role during the season. For many of our youth, it was their first time spending time away and trying new activities only summer camp offers.
Here is a look back at the camps our children attended and the enrichment and learning they experienced there thanks to the generosity of our partners.
Jefferson Sportsman Society and Camp Manito-wish
Thanks to the generosity of the Jefferson Sportsman Society’s fundraising efforts leading up to and at the organization’s 2016 annual dinner and fundraiser in March, funds were raised to send three of our youth to camp.
Camp Manito-wish took this great opportunity and multiplied it by extending three campership awards to One Family Illinois, which brought the full total to six children from our Villages who were able to attend the camp. Since 1919, Camp Manito-wish has been “dedicated to building character and cultivating leadership skills, utilizing our spectacular northwoods setting, a truly exceptional staff and three major program areas — Summer Camp, Outpost and Leadership — to challenge and inspire.”
Camp Greenheart and Swissôtel Chicago
Owing to the kindness of our corporate partner Swissôtel Chicago, five more of our children, ages 9-13, were able to have a special camp experience at Camp Greenheart.
Camp Greenheart strives “to make camp fun, active, life-learning experience for all of our campers. The camp mission is achieved by providing challenging, fun activities such as swimming, climbing, boating, environmental education, sports, arts and crafts, archery, hiking, camping and much more.”
Swissôtel Chicago not only raised funds for camp registrations for five youth, but they also supplied camp equipment for all eleven of our summer campers. This amazing gift was presented at their Cinco de Mayo fundraiser luncheon (pictured below), where the specific goal was to send our children to camp.
The lessons learned and new skills gained at camp left a lasting impression on our youth. Thank you to Jefferson Sportsman Society, Camp Manito-wish, Swissôtel Chicago, and Camp Greenheart for providing this unique opportunity for discovery and exploration to our youth this summer.