Does your child want to attend a summer camp or summer enrichment program that you know you cannot afford? Do you know a young person whose parents can barely pay for housing and food, putting any kind of summer experience out of the question?
If the student is a sixth through 11th grader in Seattle Public Schools, or is homeschooled with an SPS affiliation, he or she is eligible for a summer enrichment scholarship of up to $500 from the Assistance League of Seattle.
The philanthropic organization is in its seventh year of funding these scholarships, serving more students each year. They'd like to help even more than the 91 students who applied last year, says volunteer program coordinator Mickey Sweeney.
Students pick the program or camp they want to attend, including science, art, math, drama, technology, leadership or outdoor experience programs or traditional overnight camps. Some of last year's recipients chose Woodland Park's Animal Behavior Program, Ryther Children's Center Aspiring Youth Program, the YMCA's leadership programs and Easter Seals Camp for special needs children. Scholarships are not available for sports-only, religious studies or foreign studies and exchange programs. See the Seattle's Child Summer Guide to find a range of camps and enrichment programs.
Students write short essays on how the summer programs might enrich their lives. "Some of them are really touching," Sweeney says. "A 2013 applicant wrote in an essay on why she chose to attend a culinary program: ‘Because I want to learn to cook so I can have dinner ready when my mom comes home … she works so hard and is tired when she gets home, so I want to help her.' Another wrote, ‘I don't want to just sit in front of the television like I do most years.'" A teacher, counselor or adult supervisor must also make a recommendation on the application form.
The Assistance League of Seattle is a chapter of the national organization, started in 1962. The all-volunteer organization also helps more than 1,000 Seattle area grade school children in need chose new wardrobes for school from its "Operation School Bell" store. It offers financial aid to students attending King County community colleges and vocational/technical colleges who have no other source of help.
It is one of only a half dozen Assistance League chapters in the country who fund summer enrichment scholarships, Sweeney says. (The Assistance Leagues of Everett and the Eastside fund "Operation School Bell" and other philanthropic efforts, but not summer enrichment scholarships.)
Apply at www.seattle.assistanceleague.org or obtain an application from your child's school counselor or homeschool liaison. Applications must be postmarked by April 3 and sent to the Assistance League of Seattle, 1415 N. 45th St., Seattle, WA, 98103.
Most of the Assistance League's funds for summer enrichment and other programs come from sales at its thrift shop at 1415 N. 45thSt. in Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood. The league also accepts direct donations on its website.
"Please realize, many of the students who went to camp would never, ever, ever have been able to go if it wasn't for your program," wrote Sue Clauson, homeschool liaison at Whitman Middle School. "Summer camp is outside the cultural norm of many of these kids, and all of the students I worked with to attend camp live in poverty. There are no discretionary funds for camp."
