Copper Cannon Camp-Development VISTA
The founder of Copper Cannon Camp, Hamilton Ford, never forgot the significant impact of his adventures as a young boy at a summer camp. Camp offered him an outdoor experience, new friends, and a retreat from poverty. That life-changing experience eventually led to his founding of Copper Cannon Camp in 1963. From its humble beginnings in an old Franconia ski lodge to its present location on 128 acres bordering the White Mountain National Forest in Bethlehem, Copper Cannon Camp continues to embody Ham Ford’s commitment to provide low-income young people with life-enriching camp experiences. Copper Cannon is a traditional summer camp and has all of the classic camp activities: archery, campfires, arts and crafts, hiking, ropes courses and much more. However, the impact of our camp goes well beyond simply having a good time. We focus on three main aspects during each week of camp: preventing summer learning loss, healthy lifestyles and building social capital. Children should have the opportunity of a summer camp experience, regardless of their financial or family situation. There are life-changing opportunities unique to a camp setting – things that otherwise might not be experienced, learned or realized at home or school. Camp is more than just a week of simple activities. It offers a chance to build social skills, try new things, and participate in enrichment activities. As a free summer camp, Copper Cannon defies all logic and business models. Every year we not only plan and run camp programs for hundreds of underserved youth, we also raise all of the money to do so. Despite this challenge, we have managed to grow and thrive over 50 years since our inception in 1963. Not everything a child takes from camp can fit in their suitcase. At Copper Cannon we take this to heart and know we are in the life changing business. It is imperative our VISTA member shares this passion.
The VISTA member will continue to grow the conference center in to a revenue generating source to subsidize the core mission of our organization. They will help develop a road map for providing additional financial stability for our organization. VISTA member will bridge the gap between Copper Cannon Camp and individual donors by cultivating present and future donors. Assist with the yearly auction by creating and facilitating social media announcements, press releases, help solicit donations for the auction, and create a list of donors and attendees from the event to follow-up with an invitation to camp. In conjunction with our new strategic plan, volunteerism and alumni development are a priority. Implement a social media plan focused on four areas: Camper Recruitment, Camper Follow-up, Fund Raising, and Conference Center.
For more information about AmeriCorps, visit www.nationalservice.gov.
For more information about the FIT VISTA Program visit www.fitnh.org/vista.
Families in Transition-New Horizons (FIT-NH), a nonprofit organization located in Manchester, Concord and Dover, New Hampshire, was founded in 1991 in response to the growing number of homeless individuals and families in the greater Manchester area and throughout the state. Since its inception, FIT has been committed to providing only the most innovative, and effective interventions specifically designed to help homeless individuals and families reach beyond the cycle of homelessness to lead healthy and successful lives. Our belief is that having a home is a basic human right and is fundamental to becoming an engaged and contributing member of our community.