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KIDS ENJOY TASTE OF CAMP LIFE BEFORE SHOVING OFF FOR CAMP BROOKLYN

Photograph by Andy Kadin
In photo 1(from left): Armando Mejia-Gallardo of Altria, Peter Meyer of Commerce Bank and Marty Markowitz wish Camp Brooklyn campers a great trip.

Borough President & Camp Brooklyn donors send kids to the countryside

On Wednesday, July 6, Brooklyn kids pitched a tent, guzzled bug juice, gobbled up smores, and received camp-survival packs from Borough President Marty Markowitz to prepare them for two-week stays in the beautiful New York countryside. Camp Brooklyn will send 264 Brooklyn kids to camp for at least two weeks this summer with the American Camp Association – New York’s Summer Camp Opportunities Provide an Edge (S.C.O.P.E.) program. The children, between the ages of 7 and 16, will attend camps throughout the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

“These young Brooklynites will have an experience of a lifetime,” said Borough President Markowitz. “Summer camp is great for kids and it’s even better for their parents. I know Camp Brooklyn has changed lives because my experience at camp changed my life forever. Thanks to Brooklynites’ legendary generosity, this summer 264 Brooklyn kids will spend part of the summer swimming, camping, seeing the stars at night and exploring the great outdoors. Camp Brooklyn is an incredible opportunity for children to experience activities they never dreamed possible.”

“Summer Camp is an important developmental experience that should be available to all children,” said Adam Weinstein, Executive Director of the American Camp Association, New York Section. “Thanks to Borough President Markowitz and generous members of the Brooklyn community, over 260 children from low income households will have a positive camp experience.”

Camp Brooklyn was made possible thanks to donations and support from Altria, Verizon Foundation, The Rotary Club of Brooklyn through the Jeannie L. Grant Recreational Camp Foundation, the Abdalla Stern Fund at the New York Community Trust, Peter Meyer & Commerce Bank, New York Life Foundation, thousands of generous Brooklynites and Best of Brooklyn, a not-for-profit organization that strives to improve the quality of life for all Brooklynites, particularly our youth.

Eligibility is based on economic need, age, and willingness by the child to comply with camp rules and regulations. S.C.O.P.E. oversees the application process. Camp Brooklyn grew by 30 percent this year, with donations ranging from a few dollars to those in the thousands.