“TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD”
By Alix Sommer Smith, Board Member
“To provide the Clearwater Camp experience to as many girls as possible – because we know it makes a difference in their lives and they will make a difference in the world.”
This statement of Clearwater’s vision is the principle behind the Campership program. In 2008, one donor made it possible for one girl to attend camp through a $1500 gift. That continued in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, it was determined that 25% of the holiday campaign would be earmarked for Camperships, and from then through 2016, anywhere from nine to seventeen Camperships were awarded based on donations ranging from $18,725 to about $21,000.
In 2016, the Campership Committee was faced with seventeen worthy applicants and insufficient donations to adequately fund them all. When the committee approached the Board with its dilemma, wallets opened, checkbooks emerged, and suddenly there was enough to provide Camperships for all the applicants! Camperships in 2016 totaled $30,150 due to the generosity of the Board and a couple of other last-minute donors.
As the 2017 season approached, the Board came up with a solution – to fund the Campership Committee from the annual budget to a baseline of $30,000. Donations would still make up most of that amount, but if, say, in the 2017 holiday campaign, donations reached $25,000, Clearwater would add $5,000 to assure that there would be a base of $30,000 for the Campership Committee to use. It was hoped that the amount would be sufficient. But Clearwater’s fine reputation continues to spread, and our mission and vision continue to impress. Campership applications continue to rise, and our vision is still in place. In 2018, the Campership Committee came back to the Board to request $35,000 for the 2019 season, a wish that was, thankfully, granted.
Clearwater’s Camperships have assisted families from 11 states and 3 foreign countries, encouraging diversity among our campers. One hundred campers have received Camperships through 2018.
In March, the Campership Committee will meet to determine recipients for 2019, in hopes of assisting more girls to have an experience that will make a difference in their lives, and ultimately, help them to make a difference in the world. And we continue to ask for your help in making it possible through your donations to the Campership fund. | 
Sheila has a long history with camp via her husband's family and her daughter, Quinn, who will be a fifth year camper on the Point this summer. Her 30 years of nonprofit leadership will build upon the strong foundations set in place by Sunny, Ruth and Sandy over the years since camp became a nonprofit. Read more about her 
Jennifer has an impressive resume with leadership in higher education and as a camp professional. Jennifer went to camp as a child and was hooked ever since. She told us that she has admired Clearwater for many years and jumped at the chance to become part of such a remarkable organization.
