Today we are interviewing Jennifer Repass, Executive Director of Austin Sunshine Camps.
Jennifer, can you tell me how did Austin Sunshine Camps start?
The Young Men’s Business League was founded in 1913 and in 1928, the Austin YMBL Sunshine Camps was founded to aid in the battle against tuberculosis and continued to serve at-risk and economically disadvantaged youths after the epidemic passed.
When was it founded?
1928
Can you tell me a bit about the charity’s mission? Who does the charity serve?
The mission of Austin Sunshine Camps is “To provide deserving children of Austin, and of the surrounding areas, with programs that provide them opportunities for personal development, necessary skills in order to succeed in school as well as in life, and the hope for a better future.” The goal of the Austin YMBL Sunshine Camp is to eliminate the high school dropout rate and increase college participation. To fulfill these goals, four programs are offered through the Sunshine Camps:
- The Austin YMBL Sunshine Camps Summer Camp Programs – a weeklong overnight camping experience for kids between the ages of 7-15. The Camps teach life skills, self confidence, trust and teamwork, all while providing outdoor fun through experiential educational activities like hiking, swimming, canoeing, and sports. ASC’s goal is to ultimately stem the cycle of poverty and related social ills among economically and socially disadvantaged youth in Austin and Central Texas by promoting education and raising high school completion rates among this group.
- The Austin YMBL Sunrise Challenge Program is a prepatory module for 7th and 8th grade students designed to identify and nurture youth leaders prior to their advancement into the Sunrise Leadership Program as high school students. The various learning experiences require the students to work in a cooperative fashion with peers to hone their social competencies. The students are placed in situations where they must navigate both intellectual and social hurdles to achieve goals.
- The Austin YMBL Sunrise Leadership Program is designed for 30 students aged 11-18. The course brings the selected Sunshine attendees together throughout the academic year for various workshops that address study skills and test taking strategies. Additionally, these future leaders attend course-based tutorials with accredited teachers and mentors. These students may also qualify for the Junior Counselor Program. The Junior Counselor program utilizes community service projects to impart the idea of giving back to the community to establish a cycle of opportunity rather than poverty. Participants also bring their families together for family nights at the Zilker Park facility to reaffirm the need for families to set courses for success no matter their size, composition, or economic situation.
- The Austin YMBL Scholarship Program, funded and managed by the YMBL Alumni board, recognizes the long-term achievements of Sunrise Leadership students and provides them college scholarships. Potential recipients must graduate high school at a predetermined standard of achievement. Additionally, applicants must produce documentation verifying post-secondary school enrollment.
What makes Sunshine camp unique?
Sunshine Camps summer programs are unique in that they give disadvantaged children a place to be themselves, make friends, escape from the harsh realities of their lives, and just be a kid by participating in an array of activities: sports, arts & crafts, canoeing, hiking, and high and low ropes courses. Not only do ASC kids have fun, they are given the opportunity to excel academically and pave the way to a successful future. Sunrise Program participants receive tutoring and academic guidance, as well as assistance with higher education preparation. ASC kids are taught independence, self-confidence, and positive self-esteem; all of which are traits to help at-risk kids break the cycle of underachievement and poverty. In addition, ASC offers kids an opportunity to give back to the community by participating in community service projects. All of the programs offered through the Sunshine Camps are offered to the participants AT NO COST! The participants in the Sunrise Programs are provided meals and transportation to all ASC sponsored activities. In addition, the Austin Sunshine Camps are owned and operated by the Young Men’s Business League, which was founded in 1913 and has over 230 members. These same members also mentor, tutor, and teach life and leadership skills to all the kids served each year. 2008 will marks 80 years of continuous operations.
Tell me about some of the projects the Sunshine Camps has done?
Each summer the Sunshine Camps serve 800 kids at the Zilker Park and Lake Travis locations. Since 1928, over 42,000 central Texas youths have been served. Since 2001, 100% of the participating Leadership Students have graduated from high school and since 2001, 100% of the Leadership Students have sought higher education.
Special events include the Schlotzsky’s Bun Run, which is in its 25th year; Austin Under 40, which recognizes Austin’s Leaders that have significantly contributed to Austin’s philanthropic and business communities and is celebrating its 11th year ; Golf Classic; and Fall and Spring Flings.
What impact have you made this year?
We have served over 750 youths in all our programs. 100% of the Leadership Students graduated from high school and are now taking college classes. From 2002 to 2007, the overall GPA of Leadership students soared from 76.3 to 83.35; math scores grew from an average of 75.4 to 76.47; and science scores moved up from 71.2 to 80. In 2007, 18 of the 26 Leadership students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) classes. One of our former campers and students, NFL Free Agent Paul Mosley, visited the camps in June of 2007 to speak with kids about his positive experience with Austin Sunshine Camps.
Are there any projects that our readers can help out with?
Volunteers have a direct impact on the kids we serve in many ways and are needed in the following areas:
- Mentoring and tutoring Sunrise Program students on Wednesday evenings at the Zilker Park camp
- Canoeing and carnival nights during the summer camp programs
- Parking, water distribution, and setup for the 26th annual Schlotzsky’s Bun Run
- Marketing, nominations, and logistics for the Austin Under 40 Awards
Where would they sign up?
Please go to www.sunshinecamps.org to volunteer for camp activities; www.bunrun.org for Bun Run; and www.austinunder40.org for Austin Under 40. Volunteers can also email Jennifer Repass at Jennifer@sunshinecamps.org.
What is the greatest need the charity has in its efforts to make a difference?
Like most charities, funds are what is needed most. However, we have a wish list of items that we are in constant need of, including: 600 white and blue bath size towels and 180 standard twin sheet sets.
Where can people go to donate money?
Donors can email Jennifer Repass at Jennifer@sunshinecamps.org or go online to www.sunshinecamps.org.
What’s instance that occurred in the course of your work that made it all worthwhile?
There are almost daily instances that make what I do worthwhile. Sometimes Austin Sunshine Camps may not see immediate results, but the little steps and milestones that we can see on the kids faces are priceless! Just to know that what we do changes and improves the lives of Austin Sunshine Camps’ kids, makes it all worth the time and energy expended.
Austin Sunshine Camps
P. O. Box 684980 Austin, TX 78768-4980
www.sunshinecamps.org
512-472-8107