The Importance of Scholarships at KODA Camp Midwest
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Unlocking Opportunities: The Significance of Scholarships at KODA Camp Midwest
35% of KODA Campers are on scholarship but the need for scholarships is as high as 55% of campers! At KODA Camp Midwest, we understand the importance of scholarships. In fact, I couldn’t have gone to college or grad school without the assistance of scholarship- why is summer camp any different?
Summer camps are important for youth to gain valuable skills, just as you would gain in higher education as well. At KODA Camp Midwest, we would like to see the channel between the skills KODAs learn at KODA Camp (like self-confidence, belonging, stronger identity) to turn into useful skills KODAs can use in their adult life.
The American Camp Association’s blog touts some of the benefits of kids gain by attending summer camps. This includes:
social skill development with leadership and participation
self respect and character building with creating resilience and responsibility
community living and service skills by creating trustworthiness, caring, and fairness. (https://www.acacamps.org/parents-families/benefits-camp)
The National Institute of Health (NIH) conducted a research study on various summer camps across the world. The findings indicated with moderate to conclusive evidence on various topics that summer camps (especially with programing targeted towards improving self-confidence and belonging):
Improved mental health outcomes
Reduced anxiety
Improved physical health
Improved social skills
Improved ability to self-advocate
reduced social isolation
improved self-esteem
With all that evidence, why wouldn’t KODA Camp want to provide scholarships so there is equitable access for all KODAs?
To ensure KODAs from all walks of life can attend KODA Camp Midwest, we provide scholarships for those who demonstrate a financial need. KODA Camp Midwest provides 2 scholarship funds:
KODA General Scholarship: This scholarship is created for general scholarship funds. The only requirements for this fund is that the family must be registered and have paid the $200 nonrefundable retainer per child.
Here is the link to apply: https://www.kodamidwest.org/financial-assistance/scholarships
Apply today as the scholarship application closes February 15th 2024.
Adopt-A-Camper: This scholarship fund was created to increase the engagement and impact donors have with the scholarship awardees. Adopt-A-Camper awardees must write a thank you note to their donor about the impact KODA Camp had on their life. In addition, the requirement for the family must be registered and have paid the $200 nonrefundable retainer per child also applies.
Here is the link to apply: https://www.kodamidwest.org/financial-assistance/adopt-a-camper
Apply to this application today, as applications close February 15th 2024.
However, that’s not all- there are many other CODA organizations that provide scholarships as well.
CODA International provides scholarships to undergrads across the world through the Millie Brothers Scholarship.
Here is the link to apply: https://www.coda-international.org/scholarships
Scholarships are given priority to those who have not been received a scholarship before. Apply today as the application closes February 29th 2024.
CODA Midwest: A KODA organization dedicated to providing scholarships to KODAs that live in the Midwest. Currently the website and scholarship application is under maintenance, however they usually open scholarships in March and close them in April.
Here is the link to their website: https://www.codamidwest.org/
Looking for a way to engage? Donate to our scholarship fund today to help all KODAs have access to a life changing summer camp!
Are you in need of a scholarship? Apply to one of the KODA Camp Midwest scholarships today or other CODA organization scholarships!
Don’t need a scholarship at this moment but are looking for additional ways to save or budget? Visit the financial assistance page for all KODA Camp Midwest’s ideas on fundraising, budgeting, and saving.
Did we miss any other CODA organizations that provide scholarships? Please let us know at info@kodamidwest.org.
About the Author
Maris Dishno is the Business Manager at KODA Camp Midwest. Maris lives in Milwaukee, WI and you can find her frequently with a camera in her hand and working on the behind the scenes of KODA Camp Midwest. In her free time she enjoys reading YA Fiction novels, taking photos of cat & landscapes, and hanging out at the beach.