As we prepare for our 60th season of Girl Scout Summer Camp, I am writing to you on behalf of the Central & Southern NJ Council to ask for your generous participation in the 2010 Campership Appeal.  We need your help to send our girls to camp. 

When we look back on our childhood summers, we may reminisce about chasing down the ice cream truck, catching fireflies at dusk, staying up past bedtime, spending days at the beach, playing ball with neighborhood kids, and for many of us...going to summer camp.  Girl Scout summer camp is BEYOND fun for all of our girls, but for some, its value is even greater.

There are girls in our communities whose situations are worse than many of us can imagine.  With all the negative pressures these girls face, camp plays an important role in building strong girls who can overcome challenges.  Outdoor and experiential education activities build confidence in young people, teach the importance of setting goals and enhance communication skills.  With your help, we can give a girl memories that most of us take for granted. 

In 2009 we received over $87,000 in campership requests from families in need of help to send their girls to camp, but were only able to award $38,265.  Although a gift at any level will make a world of difference for our girls, please consider giving:

A week of Day Camp for 4 girls ~ $1,200
A week of Resident Camp for 2 girls ~ $750
A week of Resident Camp for 1 girl ~ $375
A week of Day Camp for 1 girl ~ $300
Offset a week of Day Camp for 1 girl ~ $100
... or a gift to add to the general camp fund.

During the current climate, the needs of our families are higher than ever.  On behalf of the hundreds of girls who will directly benefit from the Campership Appeal, thank you for making Girl Scout summer camp an essential priority, especially at this moment.  

In Girl Scout Spirit,

Mary E. Connell