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Annie’s Hope is thrilled to announce our 2021 summer camp programming!
To accommodate all families in light of COVID-19, Annie’s Hope is amending our traditional programming to host Camp Courage in person and virtually!
Camp Courage will be hosted in-person Monday, June 14th – Friday, June 18th at Sunnyhill Adventures in Dittmer, MO. Campers ages 6 – 18 will be accepted. Campers, staff, and volunteers must abide by pre-arrival expectations as outlined in the Camp Courage COVID-19 Protocols document. We encourage parents & guardians to review the protocols before deciding which camp format is best for their family.
Camp Courage will also be held virtually Monday, June 28 – Friday, July 2 via Zoom for campers ages 6 – 18. A supply kit will be delivered to each camper for use throughout the week; we also have a limited number of Zoom-enabled devices for campers to lease, if needed.
Annie’s Hope must limit the number of campers for our in-person Camp Courage experience to support proper distancing. We recognize that we may not be able to accept every camper interested in participating in-person due to these limits. Please indicate on your child(ren)’s application if you would like to be considered for both offerings of Camp Courage, should we reach capacity for the in-person experience.
How will you ensure the safety of the campers, staff, and volunteers?
Hosting Camp Courage in-person was not a decision that was made lightly. Annie’s Hope staff and volunteers are working tirelessly to amend our traditional camp model to allow for a COVID-era camp experience that is as safe and fun as possible. However, attending any in-person gathering is not without risk. Please review the Camp Courage COVID-19 Protocols document to learn more about safety while at Camp.
How do the campers get to the campgrounds?
The campers will meet at Annie’s Hope, check-in, and load their belongings into the buses that we lease. To ensure the safety of all campers, staff, and volunteers, campers are required to check in at Annie’s Hope. Dropping off a camper directly to Sunnyhill is not allowed. Campers will return to Annie’s Hope after Camp Courage to be picked up by family or they will ride home with a pre-approved family member who attends the Closing Ceremony on Friday.
Where do the campers stay while at Camp Courage?
Campers will stay in air-conditioned cabins with bunk beds and bathrooms. The dining hall is located in a separate building.
Who are the counselors who will be with my children?
Each cabin will consist of 5 campers and 2 volunteer cabin counselors. There are also 2 volunteers who will help in Arts & Crafts. All volunteers must be at least 18 years of age or older, participate in an interview with Annie’s Hope, and complete a background screening. The volunteers’ most important role is to ensure the campers are safe – physically and emotionally. They are also responsible for making sure each camper has the opportunity to try new things, master familiar skills, and share their grief.
What does it cost to attend Camp Courage?
There is no fee to attend Camp Courage, yet we need financial support to make the camps happen. The full value of attending Camp Courage in-person per camper is $925, while the financial value of participating virtually is $359. Every family with an accepted camper is expected to make a donation to the best of their ability. Any donation to help with the expenses is greatly appreciated. The donation can be raised form family, friends, co-workers, or it can be from personal family funds. All donations will directly pay for Camp Courage expenses. All donations are gratefully accepted no matter how small or large – $9, $92, $925. Your donation is strictly confidential. No child or teen is turned away because he or she is unable to make a donation.
How can my child get involved in Camp Courage?
Applications are required for every camper who wishes to participate in Camp Courage. Applications must be fully completed when submitted to be considered for the camp experience. Campers will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis with special preference to campers who have not previously attended Camp Courage in-person. All first-time campers must complete an interview with Annie’s Hope before acceptance is offered.
Forms may be completed by hand or electronically. To complete electronically, save the document to your PC/laptop using the “save as” function. From there, complete and re-save the document. Finally, you may email the completed document as an attachment to Annie’s Hope, or they can be printed and mailed/faxed to Annie’s Hope. Our staff will contact you when applications are received to review the next steps.
Camp Courage (in person)
Application Part 1
Application Part 2
Parent/Guardian Packet
COVID-19 Protocols
Camp Courage (virtual)
Application Part 1
Application Part 2
Parent/Guardian Packet
Interested in volunteering at Camp Courage?
Awesome! Volunteering at Camp Courage is rewarding, joyful experience you aren’t soon to forget. Access a volunteer application here.
Want to help yet circumstances prevent you from volunteering?
No trouble. Support Camp Courage by spreading the word about our need for volunteers, collecting donations to sponsor a camper, or donating a few items from our camp wish list. Any effort to support the kids of Annie’s Hope is amazing!
Need a smile today? Click here to view our “No-Talent Show” from Camp Courage 2020 … Goes Virtual!
To learn more about Camp Courage, contact Katie Waters, Camp & Retreat Coordinator, at KatieW@annieshope.org or (314) 965-5015.
Programs of Annie’s Hope are sponsored in part through generous contributions from Jefferson Foundation, Mid-America Transplant Foundation, and Old Newsboys Fund for Children.
Social Events
Social Events
Social events are family or children & teen gatherings that offer Annie’s Hope families an opportunity to come together for fun while connecting to others who have shared similar losses.
Where are the social events?
The social events are held at a variety of locations. Some gatherings will be held at Annie’s Hope while others will be held at off-site locations.
What will we do at social events?
Choices for gatherings include Muny and Fox productions, bowling, ice skating, picnics, Bingo Night, visits to Six Flags, Magic House, St. Louis Science Center, Butterfly House, St. Louis Cardinals, Blues or Rams games, movie theatres, restaurants, etc.
What does it cost to attend a social event?
There is no fee for families to attend social events, yet we need financial support to make the social events happen. The average full value of each family to attend is $230. Any family who can make a donation is strongly encouraged to do so. All donations are gratefully accepted no matter how small or large – $2, $23, $230. Your donation amount is strictly confidential. No family is turned away because they are unable to make a donation.
How can a family reserve a space to attend?
A family can reserve a space by contacting Kaitlyn Paton, Program Director, at (314) 965-5015 or RSVP@annieshope.org.
Organizational sponsors generously support programs of Annie’s Hope – ARCO, MSG Jewelers, Plaza Advisory Group, Accent Group Solutions, Martha’s Hands, Tarlton, Baue Funerals*Crematory*Cemetary, Blattel & Associates, Bopp Chapel, Crawford*Murphy*Tilly – Engineers & Consultants, WM Electric LLC, Gildehaus Construction, Great Southern Bank, Hackett Security, Hutchens-Stygar Funeral and Cremation Center, “To all the cancer patients who fought the good fight.”, Precision Daylighting, Inc., Schrader Funeral Homes & Crematory, and State Farm Insurance – Matt Greer.