For many children in Greenwich, summer camp represents far more than recreational activities such as arts and crafts or swimming lessons. It provides a supportive and inclusive environment where children can feel safe, engaged, and cared for during the summer months when school is not in session and many parents are working. This year, however, an increasing number of local children may be unable to access these opportunities without additional community support.
The Greenwich Department of Human Services (GDHS) Fund has launched its 2026 Campership fundraising campaign to ensure that children from income-eligible families can attend summer camp despite rising tuition costs and the temporary loss of a long-standing camp partnership.
The GDHS Campership Program awards scholarships that enable children to participate in safe and enriching summer camp experiences that foster personal growth, confidence, and social connection. In addition to benefiting children, the program provides working parents with reliable childcare and peace of mind. Campership recipients are selected based on demonstrated financial need, using established income guidelines to ensure equitable access to support.
In 2025, the GDHS Fund awarded 120 Campership scholarships to children throughout Greenwich. Demand for assistance continues to grow each year, while the cost of camp steadily increases. Compounding this challenge, a long-standing community camp partner that previously contributed multiple weeks of camp programming will not be operating a summer day camp in 2026, resulting in an increased need for philanthropic support.
“We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our community partners and remain hopeful for future collaboration,” said Blaise Punturo, President of the GDHS Fund. “However, the absence of this camp’s in-kind support in 2026 requires us to raise additional funds to ensure that children do not lose access to these vital summer opportunities.”
Community members are encouraged to help bridge this gap. Contributions of any size directly support a child’s ability to attend camp. A donation of $400 funds approximately two weeks of camp, while $800 supports four weeks. Smaller contributions are equally meaningful and help move the program closer to its goal of providing every eligible child with a positive and enriching summer experience.
How to Give:
Donations by mail should be made payable to the GDHS Fund and sent to:
Attn: Campership
Greenwich Department of Human Services
101 Field Point Road
Greenwich, CT 06830
Online donations may be made at:
https://www.greenwichdhsfund.org/campership-program
