["Your County Matters!" Main Menu] [Oswego County Homepage]

Hundreds of children from throughout Oswego County are enjoying Camp Hollis again this summer, thanks to the hard work and kind donations of many individuals, organizations and businesses.

Many county residents have fond memories of Camp Hollis - as former campers, camp staff, or parents who've seen their children enjoy the camp. Perhaps this is why the county's summer camp for children is one of the most appreciated programs of Oswego County government - and why the community has stepped forward with cash and in-kind donations to help the camp's operating budget during these fiscally lean times.

So far this year, major cash donations for Camp Hollis have been given by Entergy, the Rosamond Gifford Foundation, Fulton Savings Bank, the John Ben Snow Foundation, the Lion's Club of Oswego, and Nextel Partner's Inc.

Significant in-kind donations of services or equipment this year were equally important to the operation of the camp. Entergy employees volunteered to spend two of their days off working at the camp. The Local Painters No. 38 DC4 volunteered to paint the buildings and coordinated a golf tournament fundraiser. Mark Knopp Refrigeration fixed refrigeration equipment and donated a large ice machine. Reality Check of Oswego County sponsored a Battle of the Bands fundraiser. Sparkling Waters Pool and Spa donated all pool maintenance for the year.

Over 90 other people, businesses, and organizations have contributed cash, services or equipment to Camp Hollis this year, far too many to list in this column. A complete list of contributors can be found on the county's Camp Hollis web site at www.oswegocounty.com/youth/Hollis/thankyou.html .

Camp Hollis is operated by the Oswego City-County Youth Bureau and owned by Oswego County. Located on the shore of Lake Ontario in Oswego Town, the camp provides a week-long summer camp experience for hundreds of children, ages 9 to 12, and an introductory camp for 8-year-olds. Arts and crafts, nutrition programs, athletics, aquatics, hiking, drama, sports, and fun group activities are all part of a child's daily experience at the camp. Incredibly, this is the 58th year of operation for Camp Hollis.

Numerous school, church, community and family groups also enjoy the camp from May through October by reserving the facility for day or overnight use. Fundraising efforts for Camp Hollis are coordinated by Friends of Camp Hollis, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

The Friends of Camp Hollis and everyone who is contributing to this cherished county program have my thanks, the gratitude of taxpayers, and most importantly, the thanks of the hundreds of smiling, running, and playing children at Camp Hollis.

For more information about Friends of Camp Hollis contact the youth bureau, weekdays, phone 349-3451, or toll-free-1-800-596-3200, extension 3451, or go online at www.geocities.com/friendsofcamphollis/ .