OPEN TO OPPORTUNITIES WITH SCOPE IN OCTOBER! Being Open to Opportunities involves time, effort, and commitment; this week we spotlight more individuals, groups, and organizations who have made great strides to build community while helping SCOPE give less fortunate children access to summer camp experiences!

EVOLUTION OF SCOPE VIDEO BENNETT SCHMIDT SCOPE Board Member SCOPE and the children we serve truly benefit from the enthusiasm and dedication of Bennett Schmidt. According to Bennett, nothing in his early life had more of a positive impact on him than camp. His efforts in support of SCOPE help to give children access to similar, meaningful experiences that the was so fortunate to enjoy. Bennett’s camp roots began at Camp Nebagamon in Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin and since then he’s carried the values he learned and experiences he’s benefited from into his adult life. This is most apparent in his contributions with SCOPE. As SCOPE Board Member since 2009, Bennett eagerly jumps in to help out any way he can. He’s a member of three Board Committees, serves on the NY Benefit Committee, and as a Midwest native offers support and insights when it comes to regional and national engagement. Bennett has brought his whole family into the SCOPE fold! His son Blake has been involved in our Associate Board and we are so grateful for the continued support of Bennett and his wife Shelley through the Hannah S. & Samuel A. Cohn Memorial Foundation. Their philanthropic efforts help us continue to make a difference! As Bennett continues to spread the word about SCOPE and help us discover new sources and connections for involvement and support, be sure to check out our Evolution of SCOPE video featuring Bennett and our amazing board!

MIAMI COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL SCOPE CLUB SCOPE Junior Leadership Council In recent years, a growing number of teens living in the Southeast have been creating give-back projects and initiatives to support SCOPE; we’re proud to introduce the newest SCOPE club at Miami Country Day School! Spearheaded by SCOPE Junior Leader Ella Gilderman (Camp Taconic), the club has met twice and is already 30-members strong! Comprised of students who have attended camp and those who are camp-passionate teens, they are kicking off their club initiatives with a Penny War. Each grade will engage in friendly philanthropic competition by strategically adding money to jars in order to raise funds for SCOPE and awareness for this new club and their efforts to bring camp into the lives of local children in the Southeast to attend SCOPE partner camps in the Southeast. This club is off to a great start and we are excited for what else they have planned throughout the school year! If you're looking to launch a club in your community, school or have other ideas about raising awareness and/or funds for SCOPE, connect with us and we'll help to get you started! YOUTH & TEEN LEADERSHIP

Surprise Lake Camp, New York SCOPE Northeast

VISIT SURPRISE LAKE'S WEBSITE Surprise Lake Camp offers children a much-needed respite from stress in the current world. Campers benefit from healthy role models, spending time outdoors, nutritious meals, the chance to learn new skills, fun and diverse offering of activities, the ability to develop self-esteem, the opportunity to learn basic human values, and the joy of forming friendships that enrich and sustain them for the rest of their lives. We are fortunate to have Surprise Lake Camp as one of our long-time, partner camps and applaud them on their dedicated to helping young people unplug, grow, and develop values, confidence, and skills to last a lifetime. Fun fact: Surprise Lake Camp has been receiving support through the Hannah S. & Samuel A. Cohn Memorial Foundation (as indicated in Bennett Schmidt's highlight) providing children with camperships to attend SLC for years!

Save the date for our hybrid benefit this spring!

Helping Children Succeed in Life Children receiving SCOPE camperships have opportunities to learn new skills, connect with nature, and develop a sense of independence that can only come from being away from home -- these gifts help them succeed at summer camp and beyond. SPONSOR A CAMPER

SCOPE (Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education) provides children from underserved communities with life-changing opportunities through the experience of summer camp.

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