The winners of the President's Daily Points of Light Award in 2000, Camp Care-A-Lot, Springfield (Springfield and Riverton area children) and Camp Care-A-Lot, Too, Jacksonville (children throughout Central Illinois) are one-week residential camps for children from low or no income families. We address conflict resolution, respect, teamwork, motivation and self-esteem through diverse activities. Camp is a unique opportunity to experience living and socializing with groups of other children and adults in a nurturing and risk free setting. Camp Care-A-Lot is a non-profit organization founded by local individuals and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors from Sangamon, Morgan, Christian, and Scott counties.

Camp Care-A-Lot leases Lake Springfield Baptist Camp in June and Camp Care-A-Lot, Too rents the Western Illinois Youth Camp on Lake Jacksonville in July. The camps are open to children, ages 6-10, who come from low-no income families, regardless of race, culture and background. Children sleep in cabins, have 3 nutritious meals and 3 snacks everyday, go swimming and boating, do arts and crafts (making jewelry, decorating shirts, picture framing, tie dyeing, and sand sculptures), hike, and have campfires and entertainment. Members of the Motor Boat Club and other individuals have given generously of their time to take the campers boating on Lake Springfield, and provide refreshments for the group. This has become one of the most anticipated activities.

Camp Care-A-Lot is staffed entirely by volunteers and there is no charge to the families of the children. In addition to being counselors, the volunteers speak to children and work with children on taking responsibility, staying in school and staying away from gangs, violence and drugs. Our guest speakers include representatives from Firefighters, Police and Sheriff's Department, Mayor Tim Davlin of Springfield, Mayor Ron Tendick of Jacksonville, Mayor Gordon Jumper of South Jacksonville, and former Mayor Karen Hasara of Springfield. Jacksonville city council representatives, Helen Baldwin and Tony Williams also work with children on life skills like volunteering and making appropriate choices. Sangamon County Canine Rescue Squad, Air National Guard, a breeder of llamas, a blacksmith, a falconer and more, share their careers with campers. Operation 1st Choice brings their mobile ropes course to camp to teach team work and cooperation as well as thinking and problem solving. Volunteer professionals work with children each session on how to take responsibility for their own actions. It's very important to give these children the opportunity to speak and interact with professionals from the community who may be the perfect role model for these youngsters. All of our guest speakers speak to the importance of a good education and how that directly relates to each career. For more information and volunteering click here, or call (217) 546-4777.

A highlight of each week is our "Senior Citizens Day". Seniors from groups all over the 5 county area, spend a morning with children, making placemats. Children autograph the project and learn that they can give of themselves even if they have no money to buy things. Seniors have come back year after year for this event.

Camp culminates each week, with our all camp talent show. Please come to watch this event. Call 546-4777 for information and dates. Our campers and staff work all week for this wonderful evening an it is a major self-esteem booster for campers.

Two new programs have been successful. The junior counselor program is one in which former campers, age 16-17, are trained in leadership and are able to "give back what they received when they were young". These former campers must not be on drugs or alcohol, must not be in gangs or involved in violence and must be passing all their school subjects. A program in Springfield, which takes former campers age 13-16 for one day each year, of leadership activities, prepares young teens for their position as junior counselors.

The scholarship program for former campers wanting to go on to further their education after high school is the newest program at Camp Care-A-Lot. Since education is stressed throughout the program, Camp Care-A-Lot now offers a scholarship to trade school, college or university. See this link on the website, or call Bill Havey, past president and member of the board of directors 744-9000 or Aly West 241-0602, Camp Director for more information.

Camp Care-A-Lot answers an important need in the community and is a haven for children who may not be able to experience this nurturing and safe opportunity to live and learn together.