February 10, 2025
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Can you conjure up a favorite memory from your childhood? Perhaps one with a friend, some muck, a little stink, a lot of adventure, and outrageous fun?
How about a time when you learned how to do something “all by yourself”? Maybe tie your first bowline, learn the legend of Robert Morris’s ghost, weave a basket to house your sea glass, or set off with nothing but a bike, a helmet, and a pal?
Do you ever think back to the counselors, instructors, and mentors who made it all happen? Perhaps they were in the muck with you – or maybe they set up the proverbial dominoes and stood back to let you knock ’em down?
Perhaps your memories form like the solutions to a game of Clue: Ms. Najee, at the Boone Creek sandbar, with the jellyfish! Counselor Trevor, at the Community Center field, with the sponges! Ms. Cathy, at the Oxford Cemetery, near the Tench Tilghman grave! Or in my case – Chester Baum, on Town Creek, with the sailboat – circa 1986!
When Ms Jenny first put her mettle to the pedal in 1982, there were 15 Oxford Kids Campers. In 2024, OKC filled the spots of approximately 100 campers, 12 Junior Counselors (CIT’s), 8 Counselors, 7 Instructors, 1 Assistant Director, and 1 Director.
Summer 2025 brings with it two imperatives: hiring exceptional counselors and instructors, and ensuring that all children seeking a meaningful summer experience can attend OKC. OKC’s 2024 tuition was $250 per week per camper. Every camper whose family requested a scholarship received one. OKC’s board voted unanimously to freeze the tuition, so OKC 2025 will still cost $250 per week.
There is, however, a significant gap between tuition revenue and program costs.
Supporters of OKC, you have enabled Oxford Kids Camp to operate for 43 years. By supplementing the operating budget, you allow children to play, learn, and grow in our beloved town. I am grateful for your endorsement of a summer day camp in Oxford.
As campers pedal toward their own adventures this summer, I ask that you consider making a donation to Oxford Kids Camp. We think it will be our best one yet!
Yours most sincerely,
Elizabeth K. Wainwright, Director
Board of Trustees: Jennifer Stanley, Susan Delean-Botkin, Lauren Fogle, Susan Stockman, Courtney Sykes, Ginna Tiernan
Oxford Kids Camp, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The four one-week sessions are held Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for campers having completed 1st grade. Tuition is $250/week. Camp dates for 2025: June 23-27 and July 7-25. Online registration opens at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 8. Visit the website for the OKC program, registration, hiring, and scholarship information.