Camp Live Oak Converts to a 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization in Order to Offer More Opportunities for Low-income Children
Camp Live Oak transitioned to a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in an effort to help underserved communities and offer scholarships to low-income kids every year. Families who struggle financially to send their children to camp can now take advantage of the life-changing opportunities through the experience of nature programs provided by Camp Live Oak.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 21, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Camp Live Oak in Fort Lauderdale, Florida announced that the company has now converted into a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Camp Live Oak offers traditional camp programs for children throughout Broward County with activities like swimming, arts and crafts, archery, canoeing and fishing, and kids are given many opportunities to develop bonds with each other as well as build self-confidence and independence. The move to a non-profit was accomplished to open doors for funding so that the organization can offer its programs to children who may not have the financial means to experience camp.
"We transitioned Camp Live Oak into a non-profit so more young people have the opportunity to interact with nature and engage in programs that develop their sense of self-worth," said Susanna Coleman, the Associate Director of Camp Live Oak. "Camp gets children outside, away from their phones, and involved in a positive environment that helps them build resilience, learn social skills, and increase their self-esteem."
As the only accredited camp by the American Camp Association (ACA) in Broward County, Camp Live Oak has already raised $4,000 in funding to award as scholarships to low-income children so they may attend summer programs. The scholarships will be announced in May of this year and will go out to eleven children in the Fort Lauderdale area so they will have a chance to explore outdoor activities they might not otherwise have access.
For parents, the scholarships and summer sessions offer a safe environment for their children during the day while they work. The New York Times reported that in 2014, the average family in the United States designated about $958 for childcare expenses during the summertime. Parents who cannot afford childcare services are often forced to leave their kids to take care of themselves or find alternatives.
Additionally, funds from local government agencies are limited as well. Federal, state, and private grants mostly cover after-school programs during the rest of the year, while summer programs get whatever remains.
"Converting Camp Live Oak to a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serves an increasingly pressing need," stated the founder, Ken Evans. "We can now help families send their kids to camp for little to no cost."
With sessions that last from early June to the middle of August, Camp Live Oak has been offering summer programs that include science, fishing, scuba diving, trail biking, learning about the environment, and more the past thirty years. It has a rich history of giving children opportunities to discover nature within two state parks in Florida: Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Fort Lauderdale, and Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Dania Beach.
To learn more, visit the Camp Live Oak website at http://www.campliveoakfl.com or contact Camp Live Oak at (954) 563-4880.
ABOUT CAMP LIVE OAK
Now in its thirty year, Camp Live Oak offers week-long adventures in nature and conservation education for children and corporate entities. As a Non-Profit Organization 501 (c)(3), Camp Live Oak is the only accredited camp in Broward County by the American Camp Association (ACA). This accreditation guarantees that the organization fully abides by the ACA's 300 stringent standards of health and safety, programming, staffing and accountability. The staff are meticulously chosen for their exceptional qualifications and specialized certifications in teaching, counseling, science, ecology, environment, water safety, and more. With two locations, Birch State Park in Ft. Lauderdale and Dr. Von D. Mizell – Eula Johnson State Park in Dania Beach, Camp Live Oak offers a wide array of camp activities such as canoeing, archery, fishing, and swimming, as well as science, arts and crafts, and sports all year long.
SOURCE Camp Live Oak
Share this article