By Emily Hill, Director of Individual Giving

Early last month, I joined a handful of volunteers and camp staff to review applications for the Campership Fund. Over 200 girls applied for financial assistance to attend camp, and it was our job – the 10 of us that made up this year’s Campership Committee – to review these applications and allocate the money we had available in our Campership Fund this year.

Trust me, it’s not an easy job. The stories in the applications make you want to weep. Girl Scout families of four living on under $20,000 a year. Single-parent households where the mother is working full time while trying to earn her bachelor’s degree – and she’s a Troop Leader. The disabled veteran who wants to send her three girls to Girl Scout Camp this year.

Each story of why they need assistance for summer camp is heartbreakingly different, yet there is one theme that runs through them all: the belief that this week at Girl Scout Camp will make a difference in their girl’s life.

“I am requesting assistance for my two daughters to allow them to have a lifetime experience.”

“Sophia was so excited when we got the Girl Scout summer camp guide in the mail. She has always dreamed of experiencing camp! It’s even more exciting to her that it is through the Girl Scouts: she was so happy and proud when she joined this year.”

“Zari lives for Girl Scout Camp. This year, she will learn how to be even more independent. She will make friends. She will learn lifelong skills attending camp.”

“I am so thankful for Girl Scouts and camp. It has shown my daughter parts of this world and being a young woman that I may not have been able to show her. Thank you.”

“I would love to give Jayla the opportunity to go to this camp so she will learn to be more independent and confident when starting middle school this coming school year.”

“Camila is an introvert but has really come out of her shell with Girl Scouts – it has changed her life for the better and has made her confident. I know attending this camp would be such a blessing.”

“Emma still talks about her experience at camp last year on a regular basis. She had such a great time. I would love for her to have the opportunity to go back – Girl Scouts is her area to shine.”

That day, reading these stories, I realized how important our spring Campership fundraiser is to the work we all do to bring leadership and skill-building opportunities to girls – no matter their background or financial situation.

That’s why I’m so excited for our Campership Challenge. Five community leaders have stepped up to help make it possible for us to provide summer camp opportunities for these girls – the Sophias, Camilas, Emmas, and many more! These generous donors have agreed to match all donations to the Campership Fund between now and June 1^st until we reach our $15,000 fundraising goal. The support of community members and businesses is crucial in making sure that we can continue to provide incredible, life-changing experiences – the same experiences your girls have when they attend camp – to EVERY girl who wants it.

I encourage you to make a gift, and help all of girls shine at camp this summer.

*Names have been changed for privacy purposes.