Boy wants to spend time learning about nature

Friday, June 25, 2004 | 4:16 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

June 26 - 27, 2004

"I would like to tell you why I want to go to summer camp," one child writes to the Sun Summer Camp Fund. "I want to go to camp to learn more about nature."

The camp fund, which provides camp scholarships to children who otherwise could not afford to go, receives many such letters every year, most often from parents, teachers or Scout leaders making their case for a child. But this boy had his own words for camp and what he expected:

"For example, flowers smell very good," he wrote. "Also, bugs are yucky but I still want to learn about them. I also want to go so I can play. For example, I know hiking will be fun.

"After all that fun, I would like to eat! For example, I would like to have some yummy s'mores.

"I know that summer camp will be fun and I just want to be a part of it."

To donate to the fund, use the coupon on this page. Some recent donors:

Ruth Goldfarb (in memory of Ruthe Deskin), Charles and Melinda Macy (in memory of Ruthe Deskin), Jon Wellinghoff and Karen Galatz (in memory of Ruthe Deskin), Rosemary Czarnecki, Dan Newburn (in memory of Ruthe Deskin) and Deskin Elementary (in memory of Ruthe Deskin).

, CG & Donna Andress, Elwood Schmidt/Nancy (in memory of mother Ruthe Deskin), The Jansen Family (in memory of Ruthe Deskin), Charlotte Hill (memory of Ruthe Deskin), Dreyers Ice Cream of Las Vegas, Helen C. Cannon, Virginia Bohannon, Sara & William Carroll, Elizabeth P. Burgess/ Bonnie L. Frattini, Opti -- Mrs Club, Arnold & Velma Thowsen, Judith McAffee, Charles & Agnes Gammon, Rosemary Czarnecki, Patricia Hurst Trust, Robert & Arlene Popowcer, George & Vivian Phillips, W.S. & Helen Glassman, John & Sharon Clark, Lois & Jim Zellers (in memory of Ruthe Deskin), Charles & Melinda Macy (in memory of Mike O'Callaghan),

James & Cathy Loftfield, Leonard A. Walling, Jack & Kathryn Milligan, Roberta J. Gross, Thomas & Helen Meehan, Sherry & David Mancuso, Lucina LaGrange, Janet Savalli, Charles Rissler (in memory of Mike O'Callaghan), Chris Gulliori & Jenni Greiner (in memory of Mike O'Callaghan), Betty Hartman, Nemorio & Marie Baltazar, W.G. & Marilyn Flangas, Shirlee S. Kennel, Jean McNeely, Patricia G. Lappin (in memory of Joe Lappin), Shirlee Nilsson, David Boggs, Jean Tobman (in memory of Ruthe Deskin & Mike O'Callaghan), John & Christina Miller, Eileen Meylor (in memory of Ruthe Deskin & Mike O'Callaghan), Dorothy L. Minker, Marilyn McKinney,