We are celebrating last summer and eagerly preparing for the next one!
It’s hard to believe we are in our 24th season, and we continue to welcome more campers every year. In 2024 we welcomed 245 new campers, and we are already outpacing that with 230 new campers registered this summer.
Growth at Spirit in the Pines is not only exciting but it’s important.
The wellbeing of all of our youth deserves to be center stage. Last summer our camper and parent survey aligned with findings from the American Camp Association indicating that a weeklong camp experience improves mental health namely, “affinity for nature, willingness to try new things, social awareness, independence, and grit.” This is why we are turning to you, our valued community, for support. Spirit in the Pines offers these benefits and more in abundance for our local youth. Our unique mentorship model, which integrates high school counselors from our campers’ home communities into every camp week, adds even more positive impact.
To support this growth, our goal for 2025 is to raise $35,000 by June 1.
So far this year, we have raised $23,500 towards this goal since January. Your contribution will help us to continue to welcome more youth into our nurturing camp community. These funds will enable us to reach the following goals, and we are grateful for gifts of all sizes.
- Build new bunk beds and dining hall tables
- Hiring additional summer staff members
- Offer full and partial scholarships to 12% of our campers
Our successful fundraising campaign last fall enabled us to begin our scholarship fund for 2025, offset the rising cost of insurance, and implement new training for all of our staff, counselors, and leaders-in-training.
Thank for considering the possibility of making a special gift this month!
Your generosity empowers us to give more youth lifelong memories and the chance to grow confidently into their authentic selves. Any gifts received beyond our goal will go to our Camper Scholarship Fund for future summers.
Key highlights from this past summer include:
- We were proud to work with 150 counselors – a new record of high school students serving as upcoming leaders!
- Parents rated their campers’ experience a 9.3 out of 10!
- Over 900 campers and counselors came to Spirit in the Pines!
- We were thrilled to welcome 191 first-time campers!
We need your help to support our growth by raising $35,000 for 2025!
Your gift will strengthen Spirit in the Pines by enabling us to:
- Build new bunk beds and dining hall tables
- Hire additional summer staff members
- Offer full and partial scholarships to ~12% of our campers