2024 Camperships
Affording camp can be a challenge.
Campership opportunities are available to help defray the cost of attending 4-H Camp Shankitunk. Application deadline is March 1st! We will accept late applications as long as funding is still available.
Applications for camp scholarships can be requested from the 4-H Office in Hamden by calling (607) 865-6531. You can also apply online or download a PDF (see bottom of page). The Camp Committee will make every effort to award camperships based on desire to attend camp by carefully evaluating your story. If your child is awarded a campership, we ask that they write a Thank You card and send it to our office. We will share these thank you letters with the appropriate donor on your behalf.
Please Note: Camperships with an asterisk (*) are generously awarded or applied for on an annual basis and have not yet been confirmed for the coming summer.
Lennox Campership Fund
Available to Delaware County residents who live on a bonafide farm. The Lennox Campership will pay a portion of the camp fee. No form necessary, check box on camp application. Funds are limited, so please apply early.
Gladstone Family Campership
Has been set up so that all Delaware County 4-H members can attend camp at a reduced fee. To be eligible you need to be: A Delaware County 4-Her; if a new Delaware County 4-Her, you must be enrolled by December 31st and all other 4-Hers must have completed 4-H the previous year. The Gladstone Family Campership will pay a portion of the camp fee. No form necessary, check box on camp application. Applications for camperships are ranked in the order they are received.
New in 2022: Delaware County 4-H members participating in the Day Camp program may qualify for a $50 campership toward their camp fee.
Pat Gladstone Memorial Campership
Given by her family. The Gladstone family has been active in 4-H for years. A Delaware County youth will receive a full campership.
The Madelyn Sanford Campership
Given in memory of Madelyn by her family. The family would like to award this campership to a Delaware County camper who plans to take counselor-in-training classes (14 years of age & older) to become a camp counselor. Winner will receive a partial campership.
The Carley Memorial Campership
Given by the Carley family from Stamford. Harold Carley was a former 4-H Agent in Delaware County; David Carley was a 4-H member and leader; Marilyn Carley was a leader; and the Carley children attended camp and were employed at 4-H camp. A Delaware County camper will receive a full campership.
The Peg Ruff Memorial Campership
Given in memory of Peg who claimed to be the oldest living Delaware County 4-Her, she was a 4-H member in 1923. This campership will provide 2-3 Delaware County Youth, ages 11-13 years old, based upon need and desire to attend camp, with a partial campership. This campership is provided by relatives of Peg Ruff.
The Terry Kaufman Memorial Campership
Terry enjoyed working as a camp counselor and Activities Director at 4-H Camp Shankitunk. 2 partial camperships for Delaware County 4-H youth will be awarded in his memory by Terry's family and friends and through proceeds from Maple Weekend at Catskill Mountain Maple. Apply by filling out the campership application and answering the essay. This essay should be separate from other camperships you are applying for.
The Owen Kelly Memorial Campership
Owen absolutely loved everything about Shankitunk, and even though it was only a few weeks each summer, Shankitunk was part of his life year round. Owen made numerous 'forever friends' and lifelong memories at this magical place. Owen would want everyone to share in the Shankitunk experience; so this campership has been created for deserving children in need who would enjoy Shankitunk as much as he did. This campership is open to all eligible campers age 8-16 regardless of where they are from. The campership will pay the complete cost of camp for one camper each week. In their application essay, applicants should discuss why they want to attend camp Shankitunk and would need financial assistance. In addition, applicants should submit one letter of recommendation (download at bottom) from a teacher, 4-H leader, clergy, or friend of the family explaining how camp will help this child with high potential to grow as a leader, learn skills, and make friends at camp, when they may not otherwise have the opportunity.
Eric Ericson Memorial Campership
This campership is generously given by the Ericson family in loving memory of their son, Eric, and is funded through proceeds from the annual Motorcycle Memorial Ride/Raffle event held in Laurens. Eric was a SUNY Plattsburgh student studying environmental science with a minor in criminal justice and was working toward becoming a state Department of Environmental Conservation officer. Some of Eric's family members attended 4-H Camp Shankitunk as youth and want to give other youth the opportunity to attend camp.
Van Mierlo Campership*
This award is generously given by the Van Mierlo Family. Laura Lynn(Marzec) of Downsville, NY, and Johan van Mierlo met while working at 4-H Camp Shankitunk nearly 30 years ago. Johan returned to work at camp from his home country, the Netherlands, for two additional summers. He and Laura Lynn started a family together. Their two children also attended 4-H Camp Shankitunk for multiple years. Camp was an important part of their lives and they wish to give back to their community through scholarships to camp. Their wish is that all kids have access to the positive experience camp can provide. Their support aims to overcome financial and application barriers. Youth with the highest need may not always apply, so recruiting them through the help of and connections with local schools and youth service organizations will be encouraged.
Lister/Korwan Campership*
This award is generously given by the Lister and Korwan families who come together annually to offer a full scholarship for a Delaware County youth.
Town of Tompkins
Youth who reside in the Town of Tompkins may submit an essay about why they would like to attend camp or about the prior experiences they have had at camp, addressed to the Town Board. If awarded, a thank you note will be required.
Town of Davenport*
Details coming soon. A youth who resides in the Town of Davenport will be awarded either a partial or full campership.
Paul G. and Miriam B. Mattern Fund Awards
Paul G. and Miriam B. Mattern were long time residents of Walton NY. Paul was also Delaware County’s Cooperative Extension agent for twenty years. Miriam gave of herself tirelessly to volunteer activities. They lived simply and well, in the hope of leaving this world a better place than they found it. We honor their memory by partnering with the Community Foundation of South Central NY to award four full camperships to youth who reside in Walton (two male and one female). This award also includes a small allocation for necessary supplies needed to attend Camp.
NEW in 2024: 5 Full scholarships for Walton youth to attend Day Camp are available. A small allotment for supplies is available and Transportation will provided M-F to and from Camp if needed. Transportation on Sunday and Friday for the Overnight Camp Program will be provided to awardees if needed.
Presbyterian Women's Association Fund Awards
This award is generously given by the Presbyterian Women's Association and will provide two Walton Youth with full scholarships to attend camp.
Helfgott-Renfroe Foundation Awards
Multiple awards ranging from partial awards to full scholarships will be provided to Delhi Area youth.
Tractor Supply Paper Clover Award*
Tractor Supply Company in partnership with National 4-H Council hosts Paper Clover campaigns where customers can purchase a Paper Clover during checkout at stores nationwide to support 4-H leadership activities, including camp! Two Delaware County 4-Hers will receive a full scholarship to camp.
The Donald W. Gleason Unit 190 American Legion Auxiliary Campership
Given in memory of departed members and Delhi area residents. Friends of 4-H Camp Shankitunk will provide two full scholarships to youth residing in Delhi. This award is given in memory of Terry Kaufman.
Anonymous Friends of 4-H & Service Clubs
Established by anonymous friends for partial camperships to Delaware County youth. Includes, but is not limited to . . .
- The Richard Coulter Memorial Campership- is given by 4-H friends of Richie to a Delaware County youth. Richie was an active 4-H member and attended camp each summer. His 4-H Club, The Spring Peakes, was responsible for setting up this annual campership. Winner will receive a partial campership.
- Dann Memorial Campership - The Janet and Raymond Dann Memorial Campership provides a partial campership for a Delaware County 4-H member between 11 and 13 years of age to attend 4-H Camp Shankitunk. The award is based on interest in camping and 4-H activities at the Delaware County Fair.
- The Nettie Axtell Campership - is given by friends of Nettie. Nettie was a 4-H leader for 22 years with the Study and Fun 4-H Club. Interest from donations will provide a partial scholarship to a Delaware County camper.
The Campership Committee will make every effort to award camperships based on desire to attend camp by carefully evaluating your story/application.
Other Scholarship Opportunities:
Please use the appropriate application or contact the appropriate organization to apply for these opportunities.
You may not apply for the following camperships with the general campership application.
Youth Bureau
The Delaware County Youth Bureau & Delaware County Social Services may have scholarship monies available for families who are income eligible and/or youth of families currently receiving services. Please contact the Youth Bureau or Social Services directly. If you are not located in Delaware County, please check with your local youth services organization to see if they are able to assist in sending your child to Camp. You may also download their application at the bottom of this page.
Parisian Foundation Camperships*
The Ricky J. Parisian Memorial Scholarship Foundation will sponsor several $100 Campership opportunities in summer 2022 to assist youth in defraying the cost to attend summer camp. Youth from the Oneonta area and Otsego County are eligible to apply.
Chenango County 4-H Leaders/Volunteers Association*
Provides some funds for youth to attend a 4-H summercamp of their choice. Youth must be enrolled 4-Hers in Chenango County to be eligible for this award. For more information, or to obtain an application, please visit Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chenango County's website or call 607-334-5841.
SCOPE*
Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education. SCOPE was established for one simple reason, to provide summer camp opportunities to ALL children, regardless of socio-economic background. Children who receive SCOPE camperships gain access to attend overnight summer camp throughout the United States, free of cost to their family. These awards require a separate application which can be downloaded below.
Do you qualify?
- Child must attend a public school or public charter school (documentation required)
- Family must be income eligible (documentation required)
- You may be a new camper or returning camper
- Youth residing in Nassau County or some areas of the Adirondacks will be given preference; this is not a requirement to apply though.
The application requires a written statement from the camper on why they wish to attend camp. A commitment to your schooling, is also required. Note: A letter from your child’s school or referring agency (other than camp) stating that the child is enrolled at public or public charter school and qualifies for free or reduced lunch, is acceptable in lieu of two separate forms of documentation. This must be on official letterhead from the organization and signed by an official school or appropriate organization representative.
Sullivan County 4-H Member Campership*
This campership is provided by CCE Sullivan County to assist youth in attending 4-H Camp Shankitunk. Youth must be a currently Sullivan County 4-H member and is based upon a first come first serve basis for partial camperships. Please contact CCE Sullivan County office at 845-292-6180 to request the application.
Army and Air Force Youth*
A limited number of scholarships to camp are available for Army and Air Force Youth ages 8-16. Youth can choose to attend one of four 4-H camps in NYS. A $100 refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot. Youth are able to choose from 4-H Camp Shankitunk (Delaware County), 4-H Camp Wabasso (Jefferson County), 4-H Camp Owahta (Cortland County), or Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp (Long Island)! To apply for this opportunity, visit https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/angscholarships-2_222. You will then receive information on how to register for the camp of your choice and pay the $100 deposit. For more information contact Lisa at lgv6@cornell.edu..
