West Harlem Local Development Corporation expects increased interest in camp scholarship
Under the Community Benefits Agreement signed with West Harlem residents in 2009, the University is required to fund scholarships for 25 children to attend the day camp, which focuses on athletics and team-building exercises.
The West Harlem Local Development Corporation is anticipating increased interest in the third year of its Cubs Camp scholarship program, which allows local families to enter a lottery to send their children to a Columbia summer camp for two weeks.
Under the Community Benefits Agreement signed with West Harlem residents in 2009, the University is required to fund scholarships for 25 children to attend the day camp, which focuses on athletics and team-building exercises, for one week only. Kofi Boateng, executive director of the WHLDC, said many parents were originally discouraged by such short terms.
“If you are a parent, you want the kid to go somewhere for more than one week,” Boateng said. “That’s something we struggle with, where parents like the program but want more weeks. That is why we’re doing a lottery.”
The adjustment in policy, which reduced the number of scholarships from 25 to 12 in order to comply with funding limitations, was initiated last year. But Boateng said many parents were not aware of the change last year, and expects this year’s response to be “fairly high.”
Cubs Camp, which also holds sessions over winter and spring breaks, offers activities ranging from golf lessons to arts and crafts, and charges families roughly $400 per week-long session.
When measured alongside other programs that the corporation handles in cooperation with the University, such as the recent disbursement of roughly $2 million in grants to nonprofits in Community District 9, the budget for the Cubs Camp scholarships seems insignificant. Nevertheless, Boateng said funding spots in the camps was valuable.
“Even if you impact one child, it is critical,” said Boateng, who referenced the importance of getting children off the streets and away from the influence of drugs. “You start with young kids. This way, they are away for the summer in a healthy environment, and they build trust with each other.”
Still, Boateng said the WHLDC is not averse to requesting more University funding if they see a significant spike in interest, especially if the policy change entices more parents to enter the scholarship lottery. The Cubs Camp is comprised of nine one-week sessions, and Boateng said the scholarship program would ideally allow West Harlem children to attend for at least a month.
Whether the corporation is able to secure additional funding will likely depend on how much interest they can attract.
“I’m always open to go back to Columbia and ask for more,” Boateng said. “If you just go by the agreement, obviously Columbia can take the position that they only agreed to a certain amount of funding. But if we use it well, we may be able to negotiate on a different basis.”
In a statement to Spectator, University spokesperson Victoria Benitez said the program reflects Columbia’s commitment to being an important community partner and supporter of the WHLDC.
“The West Harlem community negotiated to receive these benefits and the University is pleased to work through the WHLDC to ensure that local children have a great summer experience,” Benitez said in an email.
The deadline to enter the scholarship lottery is May 3, and winners will be notified on May 8. They will be able to attend the camp for any two weeks between June 10 and Aug. 9.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misspelled Boateng’s name in one instance. Spectator regrets the error.
chris.meyer@columbiaspectator.com | @CMeyer201