The Summer Science Splash Camp has received a grant to offer scholarships to campers from low-income families. The amount of the scholarship will be determined based on financial need, with some campers receiving partial scholarships and others receiving full scholarships. Currently, 32 families are benefiting from scholarship assistance, accounting for about one-third of all campers.
Kristen Rynerson, conference and pre-college coordinator at Eckerd College, expressed excitement about the opportunity to offer scholarships to campers. “We recognize that the cost of this overnight residential camp is high,” she said. “But being able to cut the cost of attendance for those in need brings this crucial STEM summer programming to marginalized students who would likely otherwise not have the opportunity to attend anything like it.”
The Community Foundation Tampa Bay has played a crucial role in making these scholarships possible. As a 501(c)(3) public charity, their mission is to connect people and resources to create meaningful, lasting impact. They serve as philanthropic partners, connectors, and advisors to support initiatives like the scholarship program for the Summer Science Splash Camp.
For 2024, the average partial scholarship amount is $480, which covers more than half of the total cost of the camp, which is $799. This means that even with partial scholarships, many campers are still able to attend and benefit from the program without having to bear too much financial burden. Overall, this grant represents an important investment in ensuring that underserved students have access to valuable STEM programming during the summer months.
