WATERBURY – Supporters of the Greater Waterbury Campership Fund are preparing to have some late-April enjoyment at Quassy Amusement Park and Waterpark in Middlebury while giving the program an appreciative financial boost.
Ticket sales for individuals and groups have reached $1,270 with still two weeks to go before the first-time special benefit April 28 offers warm weather seasonal fun for the participants. Thanks to support from Post University, longtime Campership donor Frank J. Monteiro and the Spectre foundation, Quassy’s costs are covered for the event, and every penny raised in ticket sales will go directly to camp tuition this summer.
A special Campership ticket purchased in advance will allow the ticket holder to revel in a day of rides and games from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., plus an exclusive lunch, from noon to 2 p.m., in the renovated pavilion. The menu will feature hot dogs, burgers, wings, salad and a cash bar where a portion of the proceeds also will be donated to the Campership Fund. The Campership ticket is a considerable savings from regular prices as the landmark park kicks off its season.
Tickets are $35 per person or $100 for a party of four, and include free parking and the lunch, but tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets are available on the park’s website (quassy.com) at this link: https://webhost.corecashless.com/quassy/sales/?p=is12t4ym.
They also can be picked up at the Republican-American, 389 Meadow St., between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, or by asking any volunteer Campership Fund board of director member.
Camps that host Campership Fund recipients have been invited to attend and answer questions about their facilities. Among those who have already accepted are YMCA’s Camp Mataucha in Watertown, YMCA’s Camp Moe in Torrington, Perk Central in Waterbury, and the Boys and Girls Club in Waterbury.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone at Quassy with us to learn about these camps, and for us to say thank you for their participation with the fund,” said Anne Karolyi, managing editor of The Sunday Republican, Republican-American and rep-am.com and president of the Campership Fund. “Without camps accepting our kids, we couldn’t provide this life-changing experience every summer.”
The summer camp application forms, in both English and Spanish, are available from the United Way of Greater Waterbury on its website at unitedwaygw.org/campership-1. The forms have all the pertinent information and guidelines needed to successfully file an application for the 2024 camping season.
Annual household income levels with an accompanying chart, and what documents need to be submitted, such as proof of SNAP benefits if the family receives them, will be among the areas covered and explained.
Children ages 5 to 18 who are members of low-income families from Bethlehem, Cheshire, Middlebury, Prospect, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott and Woodbury are eligible to apply for camperships. The 10 communities make up the United Way’s service area.
The 2023 summer season had 285 eligible campers fanning out among the dozen facilities from throughout the state for one or two weeks of carefree outdoor adventures. Tuition fees topped out at $125,702, all of which was shouldered by the Campership Funds; eligible campers and their families never are charged to participate in the program.
The deadline for submitting an application directly to a camp of choice is Friday, May 17. Applications should not be dropped off at the United Way’s Waterbury office. Extensive details about the 10 participating camps, their facilities, amenities and activities they offer, the contact people and camp websites all are included on the United Way website.
Campership enables eligible children to attend one session of summer camp free; they are awarded on a first come, first served basis.
Donations and contributions, combined with other surplus revenue sources, have reached $136,100 since the start of the new year.
The Campership Fund has no down time so donations are accepted all year round, 24/7. One easy way to contribute for those who are internet savvy is to simply log onto greaterwaterburycampershipfund.org and make a secure contribution electronically.
Checks also can be mailed to the Greater Waterbury Campership Fund, 389 Meadow St., Waterbury, CT 06722 or dropped off at the Republican-American building.
The Campership Fund is a 501(c) 3 organization, so gifts are tax-deductible.
Regular donations amounting to $405 recently were received from:
Thomaston Savings Bank, Thomaston, “The Great Give 2024,” $150 online
Kathleen Bequary, $100 online
James and Nancy Zawadzki, Watertown, in memory of Ms. Felicia Polletta, $100
Michael Mucciacciaro, Waterbury, $30
David and Alisa Rizzuti, Waterbury, $25
Ticket purchases ($1,270) for the Quassy event that have been recorded thus far include:
Concetta P., $400
Mark and Cheryl Watson, Southington, $200
Michael Mucciacciaro, $170
Krystle Langone, $100
Kenneth and Tefta Bushka, Middlebury, $100
Gregg and Linda McWeeney, Middlebury, $100
Tammy and Marcel Nicolasora, Waterbury, $100
Sandra Kenneson, $100
