Post by Indianapolis Star: The first time Steffany Stoeffler joined the Happy Hollow summer camp a few years ago, she asked one of the kids what he’d learned.
The boy’s response surprised Stoeffler: “I didn’t know,” he said, “that barks came from trees.”
Every summer for the past 73 years, Happy Hollow Children’s Camp takes kids ages 7 to 14 to its 850-acre camp in Brown County, where they get to spend several days swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, foraging, hiking and bike riding. They ride horses, learn archery, scavenge for animal prints, ride the zipline and sit around campfires with old and new friends, all while learning critical life skills that only outdoor activities and exposure to nature can provide.
The beneficiaries are kids like that boy from summer camp a few years ago — children and young teens from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who would not have otherwise been able to experience such activities.
“We have kids who’ve never swam before. We have kids who have never seen a bow and an arrow before,” said Stoeffler, Happy Hollow’s director of development. “We have kids who have never gone on a trail hike before.”
Kids who receive free or reduced lunch at school usually receive a full scholarship to join the camp, which lasts six days and five nights, Stoeffler said. Others receive discounted rates based on their family’s household income.
Happy Hollow also provides year-long programs for churches and other school groups. But its summer camp program is the most popular. Kids come from different schools in the Indianapolis area. Many have made friends through the camp and gone back the next summer to see their friends again.
“One thing that’s consistent throughout is the memories and the bonds the kids are making,” Stoeffler said. “Building communities and building relationships.”
What is your organization’s mission?
The organization’s mission is to provide an outdoor experience to economically disadvantaged kids and young teenagers to help them develop communication, leadership and other life skills.
How many people do you serve?
About 1,200 kids benefit from Happy Hollow’s summer and year-long programs.
Last summer, 288 kids participated in the summer camp program. That’s significantly less than the organization’s pre-pandemic numbers. Before 2020, Happy Hollow was able to accommodate more than 500 summer campers. But because of staffing challenges post-pandemic, Stoeffler said they had to accept a smaller number of kids in order to keep their 4-to-1 counselor-to-camper ratio.
What is your organization’s No. 1 need?
The organization’s most critical staffing need is for summer or seasonal male staffers or counselors. “Staffing has been really difficult since COVID,” Stoeffler said, adding that prospective employees are likely finding better wages at for-profit counterparts.
How can people get involved?
Happy Hollow is always looking for donations. They’re also accepting volunteers who will check-in campers when they arrive at the organization’s central office. That’s where all campers meet before they get on a bus to Brown County. Volunteers will then check-out campers when they get back six days later.
About Happy Hollow Children’s Camp
Address: English Foundation Building, 615 Alabama St #134, Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone number: (317) 638-3849
How to help through Season for Sharing
The mission of IndyStar’s annual Season for Sharing campaign is to harness the power of local journalism and you to make a difference in the lives of Central Indiana youth.
This year, Season for Sharing is joining the Summer Youth Program Fund, a partnership of Indianapolis funders that supports high-quality programs serving more than 80,000 Marion County youth each year. Your gift to Season for Sharing makes it possible for kids to hike, play sports, act, sing, paint, grow food, perform experiments, build robots, solve problems, explore the city, do service projects, gain job skills and earn money during their time out of school.
Last year, the Summer Youth Program Fund was only able to provide 55 cents for every dollar requested. Your generosity makes a big difference in the lives of young people in our community.
To contribute, visit indystar.com/ocdonate or mail a check to: Central Indiana Community Foundation, Attn: Season for Sharing, 615 N. Alabama St. Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46204.
Because IndyStar covers all fundraising and administrative costs, 100% of your gift will go directly to Central Indiana agencies.
