Our New Identity
In 1989 the John Austin Cheley Foundation was launched by friends of John Austin (Jack) Cheley to honor his legacy and help fulfill his dream of making the summer camp experience available to kids whose families could not otherwise afford it. We are excited about our new identity, but we are still the same organization at heart – founded to honor the vision of Jack Cheley and the dream that sparked A THOUSAND SUMMERS.
78%
program
re-engagement rate
$574,413
Campership value
awarded last year
30
years
developing youth
1,313
camperships
awarded
Testimonials
“The people, environment, and experiences of camp have instilled in me values and skills that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Thank you for truly changing my life.”
– Zahir G.,
3-time Campership recipient
“Having the opportunity to attend camp has really changed my life. I have gained valuable life skills that I know will go on to help me as I grow. Your support has made me into a better person and a better leader.”
– Krystal C.,
4-time Campership recipient
“The experience at camp helped Marcos to be more open minded to trying new things. He has grown in confidence and self esteem and this has helped him to seek out new activities and experiences.”
– Carlos M.,
father of Marcos, 1-time Campership recipient
“This is an unparalleled learning experience that can’t be replicated in a classroom or at home. For a child who struggles with low self esteem and anxiety, you have elicited a profound change that has the potential to catapult one towards an entirely new trajectory of hope!”
– Jamie N.,
mother of Cassidy, 4-time Campership recipient
“Camp has made me want to discover and learn new things and be curious.
I now believe that anything is possible if I put my mind to it.”
– E’Mari W.,
3-time Campership recipient
News & Events
This summer we did not want a pandemic to stop us from making it to camp. So we created a virtual Camp-To-Camp Hike for our 105 campers, their familie...
We are very excited to announce a campaign to establish a brand new fund – the ‘JACK CHELEY ENDOWED CAMPERSHIP.’ This $150,000 fund ...
As we prepare for the summer of 2020, our organization’s 30th summer issuing Camperships, we remember our heritage and the milestones that have ...
Watch a video presentation marking our 30th anniversary and ‘The Dream That Sparked A Thousand Summers’....
A selection of the kids on our Campership Program share their appreciation for your support as well as what they hope the summer at camp will hold....
During a recent visit to Clearwater Camp for Girls, Executive Director, Tim Lucas spoke with Nia about her experiences of camp after only her first co...
We are deeply saddened by the unexpected death of John Austin Cheley Foundation trustee and former Board Chair John Boylan who passed away suddenly on...
