Friends,

Summer is almost here, and soon our Clubs will be filled with the joyful sounds of laughter, basketballs bouncing, pencils sketching masterpieces, the voices of caring mentors, and even pirate ship building.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale’s Summer Camp is not just a safe place for kids to go when school is out; it’s where lifelong friendships are made, unforgettable memories are created, interests are explored, and confidence is built.

At the Club, summer camp is designed to be both fun and prepare kids for the upcoming school year.

Last year, we were fortunate to be part of the AZ OnTrack statewide initiative to help youth recover from pandemic-related learning losses. The grant funded our ability to provide summer camp at no cost to all families. Our Clubs were packed to capacity and we delivered programming that included civic engagement opportunities as well as expanded academics alongside the fun-filled activities and programs our summer campers count on every year.

Even though AZ OnTrack has been discontinued this summer, the need for expanded math and literacy programming remains crucial. Studies consistently show that math and reading proficiency are the biggest indicators of future success. That’s why our team of dedicated youth development professionals has been working hard to plan weekly themes and special events that will complement expanded academics, particularly math and literacy, in fun and engaging ways.

We are committed to helping kids succeed, and to do that effectively year after year, we must evolve and grow to address the needs of our youth and our community. In the aftermath of the pandemic, the social and emotional burdens on our youth have become evident. Our team has undergone training to learn trauma-informed best practices, so we are able to recognize signs and symptoms of trauma and respond by teaching coping mechanisms and stress management skills.

We are also taking real-world issues head-on, and have recently partnered with SAFE Action Project to certify our team on awareness at all levels to identify, report, and prevent human trafficking.

We want our young people to be safe and to return to school in the fall excited about the future, confident and ready to focus on learning.

Today, I am reaching out to you because we need your help. Your support is essential in our ability to help as many young people attend our summer camp as possible, no matter their ability to pay. Please consider a donation of $196 to sponsor a week of summer camp for a child, or $784 to cover a full month. Or if you are able, please consider a gift of $1,960 to sponsor an entire summer for a child.

Your donation TODAY will give kids a summer to remember, with positive social interactions, loads of fun, the support of caring adult mentors, and academic-based programs to prepare them for the upcoming school year.