Mitsui & Co. Funds $500K Camp-School Partnership to Support Underserved Youth Services
- Mitsui & Co. supports youth development through a $500,000 grant for the Camp-School Partnership Project with the ACA.
- The initiative aims to enhance nonprofit camps' programming for underserved youth, promoting engagement and enriching experiences.
- Mitsui & Co.'s commitment to social responsibility highlights their focus on equitable access to meaningful camp experiences.
Mitsui & Co. Backs Camp-School Partnership to Enhance Youth Services
Mitsui & Co. plays a pivotal role in promoting youth development through its financial support of the American Camp Association’s (ACA) newly launched Camp-School Partnership Project. With a generous $500,000 grant from the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) Global Foundation, the initiative aims to enhance the ability of nonprofit camps to provide high-quality programming in collaboration with schools and community organizations. This initiative specifically targets underserved youth populations, aiming to foster engagement and provide enriching experiences that complement formal education.
The significance of camp-school partnerships (CSPs) is underscored by ACA interim president and CEO Henry DeHart, who highlights their effectiveness in boosting camp attendance among children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate. The partnership not only increases access to camps but also creates positive experiences that enrich the lives of youth, particularly those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The ACA plans to allocate $280,000 in grants to eight selected organizations for the summer of 2025, chosen from a competitive pool of nearly 120 applicants. Recipients include notable organizations such as the Fiver Children’s Foundation and Camp Mendocino, which collectively aim to benefit approximately 550 campers each summer.
Looking ahead, the ACA will continue to open application windows for additional funding, with a focus on camps serving youth in various states, including New York, New Jersey, Arizona, California, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas—regions where many SMBC employees reside. The SMBC Global Foundation’s commitment to also support camperships in these areas further emphasizes the company's dedication to enhancing access to meaningful camp experiences for underserved youth. The ACA, representing over 15,000 camps across the U.S., is committed to promoting quality camp experiences for the 26 million campers it serves annually.
The Camp-School Partnership Project exemplifies Mitsui & Co.’s broader commitment to social responsibility and community engagement. As the initiative unfolds, it aims to create lasting impacts on the lives of young people, making significant strides toward equitable access to enriching summer experiences. For further details on the initiative and its impact, interested parties can visit ACAcamps.org.