Coastal Campership Fund Grant Supports Summer Programs

The Kitty Hawk Rotary and the Outer Banks Community Foundation are pleased to announce that the Coastal Campership Fund has made a substantial impact in its first year!

Since January of 2023, the fund has grown to $12,850.00 through donations from 11 donors.

The new fund’s principal is invested so that grants will be awarded to benefit the community for generations to come. A portion of the donations are also used to send youth leaders to camp each summer.

The mission statement of the fund is to “provide grants to nonprofit organizations for camperships that will help local youth with financial need to attend camping programs that focus on outdoor recreational skills, camping, character, and leadership development, with a preference given to scouting and similar, established overnight outdoor programs.”

The Coastal Camputeship Fund contributed to a grant to sent two local scouts to Camp Raven Knob in Mount Airy for a week in July:  https://www.ravenknob.com/  photo: https://photos.app.goo.gl/j8X1BLwrzYB9tdQw8  While there, the scouts learned skills and earned merit badges including metal work, wilderness survival, climbing and hiking. Said one parent, “Summer camp opens a world of experiences for my child. It gives them the gift of independence while allowing them to learn new skills, make new friends, and expand their current scout skills beyond what is offered locally.”

The grant also enabled two campers to attend the Brinton Environmental Center at Seabase, a high adventure program in the Florida Keys.  https://www.bsaseabase.org/about-sea-base/  The scouts in this program survived and thrived despite adverse conditions while primitive camping in the August heat. “This program helped our son grow in confidence, independence, and teamwork. He and his fellow Scouts had to work together to survive for five days on a deserted island, catching their own food, carrying their own water and building camp. He even learned about stewardship while caring for the environment through this program. We are very grateful to have been given this opportunity and could quickly see the benefits when our son returned, happy and fulfilled.“

Sea base photos:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/qZB5STfiNwB3cAwv8

All of these experiences are critical to develop the next generation of competent and compassionate leaders. Group camping experiences present appropriate challenges to develop leadership skills and confidence.

The Coastal Campership Fund helps ensure that these experiences are available to local youth regardless of finances. This helps each individual and family be their best now and helps set up our community and nation for success for generations to come with outstanding leaders.

The Outer Banks Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization that inspires philanthropy and connects people who care with causes that matter. The Community Foundation manages more than 200 charitable funds for individuals and agencies, awards grants to nonprofits, administers more than 60 scholarship programs, and provides tailored services to help donors pursue their charitable interests. Since its inception in 1982, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $13 million in grants and scholarships to local nonprofits and students.