Mission and Goals

Mission

The mission of the Summer Fund is to ensure that underserved children and youth in the Metropolitan Boston area have access to a wide variety of affordable, high-quality camp-based recreational and learning opportunities, by providing resources for operational support, capacity building and professional development.

Goals

The Summer Fund dedicates its resources, effort, and time to achieving the following:

  • Growing a collaborative pool of funding to support summer camp and programs serving urban, underserved children and youth;
  • Increasing the number of summer program slots that are accessible to urban, underserved children, youth, and families;
  • Increasing summer camp and program quality by providing operational support, capacity building and professional development AND conducting ongoing assessments of quality standards;
  • Building a strategic portfolio of camps that provide high-quality recreational, academic support, and experiential learning opportunities

Summer Fund Fact

Fifty-eight organizations operating at 93 sites in Greater Boston received general operating grants from the Summer Fund in 2017.

Our Impact

Camp Starfish has changed my son in ways I didn’t think were possible. Before this summer, he always seemed uncomfortable in his own skin and didn’t feel confident enough to make friends. But now the fragile and self-secluded boy I raised is gone. The unique program you offer for kids with challenges is amazing.

— Parent of camper, Camp Starfish

Random Quote

I am writing to let you know that my daughter thoroughly enjoyed her camp experience last week! Jane is a “slow-to-warm-up” kind of child, so it was especially wonderful to see her positively beaming at the end of each day and telling us all about her camp experiences, singing songs, and showing us her projects each evening. My husband and I are thankful to her counselors and to all of the staff for making it such a great week for her!

— Parent of camper, Boston Nature Center Summer Day Camp