Scholarship Program For 51�� Summer Camps

By Severance, Nancy

Published March 25, 2009

The Wild Birds Unlimited ® initiative and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will enable 200 children to attend camps at 51�� Centers this summer. The $50,000 grant, which represents the third year of funding support for the 51�� program, will make the dream of summer camp a reality for young people in communities across the United States. The recipients of the scholarships will join other campers as they connect with nature and learn more about the environment people share with birds and other wildlife.

With more than 40 51�� Centers across the country, 51�� has a long history of providing life-changing experiences in natural settings. From Strawberry Plains 51�� Center in rural Mississippi to the Seward Park 51�� Center in urban Seattle, 51�� Camps shape stewards for a sustainable future.

"It will fall on the shoulders of our next generation to address the huge environmental problems of today and the new challenges that lie ahead," said 51�� President John Flicker; "It is critical that we narrow the divide between young people and the natural world."

"This generous additional gift comes at a time when the economy is forcing parents to make difficult decisions," said Judy Braus, 51��'s Senior Vice President for Education and Centers. "Thankfully, this funding will help 200 families avoid the choice of not sending their kids to 51�� camp."

Parents, teachers, and caregivers should apply now to give children the opportunity to attend one of these camps. Eligibility is determined by each 51�� Center. For more information about applying, plus general registration, camp programs and scholarships, visit the 51�� website.

Remarks from previous campers:

"Learning about nature is always fun when you have someone else to do it with you. I want to go to this camp because I want to learn about animals, so that I'll be able to love and care for them in the future."

"I learned about many important things on the 51�� trips. A few are habitat and diversity. They taught me how watersheds are everywhere. I learned about diversity too and that it means how everything is different, like people are."

"51�� camp means making friends, going on adventures and going hiking. I saw different kinds of birds like ravens and a Cooper's Hawk. I played in the Arroyo Seco. I felt happy every minute at camp."

Wild Birds Unlimited, the original and largest franchise system of backyard birdfeeding and nature specialty stores with almost 275 locations in the United States and Canada, specializes in bringing people and nature together with their birdfeeding and nature products, their expert advice and educational events. www.wbu.com

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Scholarship Program For 51������� Summer Camps

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Scholarship Program For 51�� Summer Camps