The camping experience can help change a life

Friday, June 3, 2005 | 4:25 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

June 4-5, 2005

Since 1970 the Sun Camp Fund has provided camp scholarships for children to go to camp who might not otherwise have the experience because of finances. Over the past five years the program has helped more than 3,000 children go to camp with $170,500 collected last year alone.

Every dollar donated to the fund goes directly to cover camp fees, averaging about $300 per child. Adminstrative costs are covered by the Las Vegas Sun.

"You read the letters from kids who come back from camp and for many of them it's their first time at camp," said Brian Cram, director of the Greenspun Family Foundation, which administers the camp fund. "For some of them it absolutely is life changing. They are a different person having gone to camp."

Most of the donations come from individuals, some who consistently donate year after year, Cram said.

Donations can be sent to 2275 Corporate Circle, Ste. 300, Henderson, NV 89074. Applications can be picked up at the Sun, Clark County public libraries and the United Way.