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 Giving back to the community and to those in need is a value at all the Featured Camps listed on PremierCamps. PremierCamps campers and staff take part in many different philanthropic events throughout the summer. Our Featured Camps believe that giving back is an important part of the camp community, and community service projects reflect the unique spirit of camp.
 America's Camp
At America's Camp, more than 200 boys and girls who lost a parent on September 11 have the opportunity to experience a special summer camp created just for them. All the PremierCamps summer camps participate in America's camp in one capacity or another, and most staff members and all camp directors volunteer their time and services. Camp Mah-Kee-Nac and Camp Danbee have both been proud to serve as the host site of America's Camp.
 Morry's Camp
Morry's Camp is a camp for underprivileged children from the New York area. This unique program combines the summer camp experience with a year-round support system. Campers and staff from several PremierCamps summer camps have volunteered and raised money for Morry's Camp.
 Ronald McDonald House
In support of the Ronald McDonald House, Camp Mah-Kee-Nac campers and staff help to collect "pop tabs" (tops of soda cans). The tabs are sent to the Ronald McDonald House in Springfield, Massachusetts, where they are traded in to pay for the many services provided by that worthy organization. Over the past 5 summers, Camp Mah-Kee-Nac has collected thousands of pop tabs in support of this organization.
Camp-Specific Community Service Projects, 2006
Camp Danbee for Girls held its 2nd annual Swim-a-thon and FunFair in honor of Brianna DiCarlo, the 5-year-old daughter of the camp's assistant facility manager, Don DiCarlo. Brianna passed away in 2004. Campers swam continuous laps for one hour to raise money for GIVE KIDS THE WORLD, a charity supported by Brianna’s parents. Almost 80 of Danbee’s older campers also helped run booths, paint faces, and pass out food at the FunFair, which is a Danbee-style carnival held near camp for the local community. The two events raised more than $11,000! Camp Danbee’s campers also completed a painting project for the local highway department. The camp received a special note of thanks signed by the Town of Hinsdale’s selectmen.
Camp Wicosuta’s Dance Marathon for Breast Cancer Research was a huge success, raising more than $4,300 to help find a cure for Breast Cancer.
For at least the fifth consecutive summer, Camp Walt Whitman’s Morry’s Camp Swim-a-thon raised more money than any other program run by a participating camp. Whitman campers swam 21,800 laps, and campers, parents, and year-round staff combined to donate $23,655, far exceeding Whitman’s own records. Some believe this record is unbreakable—on par with the DiMaggio hitting streak.
For a second year, Camp Mah-Kee-Nac’s participated in the Morry’s Camp Swim-a-thon. Mah-Kee-Nac campers also pitched in to help the Stockbridge Bowl Association run their annual picnic.
For the tenth consecutive summer, Camp Ramaquois raised funds for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. This year, the camp ran a Sports-a-Thon. Campers and staff participated in a wide variety of activities, from pickle ball to basketball—and collected funds from sponsors based on their participation. The Sport-a-thon raised more than $15,000. Even more impressive was that the Ramaquois staff raised $3,000.
Camp Winaukee’s Pediatric Cancer Swim-a-thon raised more than $6,000, a Winaukee record!
Read about the PremierCamps camps that rebuilt homes with Habitat for Humanity.
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