Summary: Provide funding for scholarships for campers and / or counselors to attend the two-day camp for Autistic children.
Request #3 for grant money: Operation Shine Camp is a two-day camp for kids ages 7-12 experiencing Autism Spectrum Disorders and related conditions. The camp is held at the Covenant Cedars Bible Camp near Hordville, Nebraska. It costs the Kids & Dreams Foundation $350.00/camper to provide the full camp experience. Due to the advanced needs of some of the campers, two counselors are required per camper. Currently, the counselors pay $100 to help cover the cost of their food and board (cost is $112/person). They do not turn away anyone - counselor or camper that are needs based. Currently, over 50% of the campers have difficulty meeting the financial requirements. The grant funds would be used to provide scholarships for campers and counselors alike. They are expecting 40 campers this year. Their goal is have have one hundred twenty volunteers as it allows them to ensure every camper has at least two counselors with them at all times. For more information about the foundation, please visit their website at: http://www.kidsanddreams.org
