2009 Send a Kid to Camp

Donate today to the Send A Kid To Camp Fund

Program Description
A free, drop-in, summer recreational program for youth ages 6-15, conducted Monday through Friday, June 15 through August 7, 2009 (no camp July 3rd and July 6th), at camp sites throughout the city. Activities include sports, crafts, games, swimming, nature studies, life skills development, enrichment programs and field trips.

Program History
The SEND A KID TO CAMP program began in 1988 as an alternative to discontinuing the summer youth program when the City experienced an economic downturn. Since its inception, 57,000 Dallas youth have been served at than 476 camps conducted. Sites are located in communities where there are few or no opportunities for youth to attend structured summer recreational programs.

Program Goal
To provide supervised and structured activities that develop and enhance self-esteem, sportsmanship, interpersonal skills and cultural awareness on approximately 17 sites throughout the city.

Program Design
Each camp is conducted Monday through Friday, 6 hours per day for eight weeks (No early drop-off or late pick-up). Hours of operation are 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Some sites may have a varying schedule swimming and other activities will vary and are determined by an assessment of community needs and available resources. You will receive a site calendar when you register.

Program Registration
Each child must complete a registration form with a parent/legal guardian at the park site on the first day he/she attends the program. If the child will be traveling on field trips, a parent/legal guardian must complete a transportation form, also available at each site. Send a Kid to Camp is a drop-in program; each child is free to come and go. Lunch may not be provided at all sites. No refrigeration is available. For more information call (214) 671-1490 .

Sponsors of Send A Kid to Camp

Dallas Park and Recreation Department
The Citizens of Dallas
 WFAA-TV, Channel 8

Every child deserves some summer fun.  Watch for a “Help! Send a Kid to Camp” envelope in May 2009 Dallas Water Bill.  You can help a child have a fun-filled summer by returning your contribution in that envelope.

$20 will help fund a child for eight weeks of summer fun.  All donations from the public and sponsors go into a fund managed by the Communities Foundation of Texas.  All proceeds are spent directly on program activities (field trips, specialty programs and events).  None of the donated funds pay for administrative costs.

All contributions are tax deductible.  

If you would like to liven up the summer for a Dallas child, please write a check payable to Send a Kid to Camp and mail to:    

Send a Kid to Camp
Dallas Park and Recreation Dept.
1500 MarillaCity Hall, Room 6 FN
Dallas, Texas 75201- 6300

1,251 children participated in the 2008 Send a Kid to Camp program.  Activities at each site included once-a-week swimming and enrichment clinics in sports, art and African drumming.  The participants also enjoyed field trips to the Bahama Beach Water Park, a Frisco RoughRiders game and Studio Movie Grill.

Thank you to the Citizens of Dallas and our wonderful sponsors who supported the 2008 Send a Kid to Camp program through your generous contributions.

Camp Sites (Adobe PDF)
** Bukhair, Crawford Park, Audelia Creek and Fair Oaks Park Camp Sites have closed registration; please see the “Camp Sites” list for your nearest camp location**