History
Camp of Dreams, an out-of-school provider, was first conceived in February of 2003. During the summers of 2003 and 2004, Camp of Dreams ran a residential camp at the Wild Rose Program Center, in St. Charles, IL. Camp of Dreams followed both summer sessions with twice-monthly gatherings at LEARN Charter School in North Lawndale. Since starting its school-year program, Camp of Dreams has offered classes in academics, arts, and mind and body; provided after-school tutoring; and engaged participants in a community service program.
From February of 2003 through August of 2004, Camp of Dreams operated as a pilot project of a parent organization. By the fall of 2004, it was clear—both because of the program’s merits and because of relationships with and commitments to participants and their families—that the program should continue as its own, independent non–profit organization. In late October of 2004, Camp of Dreams received 501(c)(3) status, and it has been improving and increasing it services ever since.
What we aim for:
Camp of Dreams aims at three related but distinct sets of outcomes. The first has tangible and measurable targets: improved grades, improved behavior, increased extra-curricular participation, high school graduation, and enrollment in college. The second includes less tangible, deeper accomplishments: the development of a robust and healthy sense of accountability to oneself and one's community. Our third objective is to constitute a challenging, reliable and supportive community of participants, staff and volunteers, participants’ families, partner organizations, and funders. We believe that reaching this third objective is essential in the pursuit of the first two objectives, in that the positive development of the individuals in the Camp of Dreams depends to a large degree on the strength of the community Camp of Dreams builds and maintains.
What we do:
During the school-year, Camp of Dreams operates Community Days, which take place two Saturdays a month from 10:00 am-1:00 pm, at Bronzeville Lighthouse Charter School, 8 West Root Street, in Bronzeville. Community Days give Dreamers the opportunity to participate in educational, artistic, and recreational activities with old friends and new friends. Camp of Dreams also runs leadership retreats for smaller groups of participants.
Over the summer, Camp of Dreams runs a one or three-week overnight camp at a camp site certified by the American Camping Association (ACA)in the Midwest.
If you have any questions about attending or volunteering with any of these programs, please contact us at 312.649.5551 or info@campofdreams.org.
