We are thrilled to announce that MCMC was recently selected to receive funding from the Summer Matters for All Grant program that allows all of our summer camps to run completely tuition free. This grant award is part of a larger initiative to make summer camp experiences more broadly accessible for youth this summer, following the challenging year of ongoing COVID protocols. According to Governor Phil Scott, the Summer Matters for All Grant Program will award up to $3.85 million to programs in 13 counties with the goal of expanding access to summer enrichment opportunities for K-12 youth this summer.
As we stated in our grant proposal, music programming, led by our dedicated and experienced instructors, has so much to offer as a benefit to our youth following a year with ongoing social limitations, and fewer outlets for creative expression, especially in group settings. With one of the grant priorities being promoting healing and well being for as many youth as we can reach this summer, we feel that our summer camps are well suited to serve on many levels, including human connection, meaningful enrichment, and community service.
Music inspires, music connects us, and music challenges us! We expect to experience many meaningful moments this summer as we come back together, hear each other, and see each other in person. We look forward to bringing groups together all summer to learn, get to know each other, and to reconnect.
Governor Scott has put an emphasis on helping Vermont kids recover from the pandemic and the isolation it caused, including creating opportunities for them to safely reconnect with their peers and their communities. The purpose of the grant program is to increase access to summer enrichment opportunities for K-12 youth statewide during Summer 2021. This was a highly competitive process with 188 proposals submitting $7,427,584 in requests, which far exceeded available funds.
The grants, funded by federal dollars secured by Senator Bernie Sanders and administered by Vermont Afterschool, were awarded to a variety of programs, including summer camps, libraries, municipalities, teen centers, non-profit social services organizations and more, to expand the number of weeks and slots, as well as to increase affordability and accessibility of summer programs. These offerings will supplement school-based programs, as districts in Vermont received separate federal funds to support summer learning and afterschool programs.
“Summer is the perfect opportunity to help kids reconnect and recharge. We are incredibly grateful to our state leaders and policymakers for their commitment to the development of the Summer Matters for All Grant Program,” said Holly Morehouse, Executive Director of Vermont Afterschool. “With this funding, communities and youth-serving organizations across the state will be able to create a great summer for Vermont children and youth that will help them make new memories and emerge from the pandemic strong, resilient, and hopeful.”
Thanks to this grant, we look forward to collaborating with local service organizations in our area to connect with individuals who may have not otherwise had access to our summer camps in the past. We plan to utilize this opportunity to learn more about how music can serve people from many different backgrounds in ways that make a meaningful impact in their daily lives.
In response to the grant, we now have additional spots available for campers to come for free, and we hope you’ll connect with us if you know of any youth from age 4 - 14 who may be a great fit for our program!
Here’s our summer camp webpage with all the updated camp information, schedules, and registration information!
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