named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Empowerment Camp
12-day summer camp for middle schoolers focusing on nature exploration, farming, cooking, mindfulness, and outdoor challenges such as the high ropes course and zipline
FUTURES
Seven-session virtual series for high schoolers covering college planning, admissions, financial aid, essay writing, and goal setting to support postsecondary success
LEADERS Certification Course
Virtual six-session leadership program for middle schoolers centered on camp values including courage, community, caring, safety, joy, and commitment
Leadership Camp
Summer program for high school students emphasizing leadership development, community engagement, and personal growth through camp activities and values-based learning
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Admissions Outreach and Enrollment Support 1 activity
- Camper recruitment and application processManages a structured camp application process requiring online and in-person year-round program attendance, teacher recommendations, community contributions, and an information session with the Director of Programs to ensure commitment and readiness.
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College Access and Success Support 1 activity
- College preparation and postsecondary planning supportProvides a six-session virtual college preparation program and a seven-session FUTURES program covering college admissions, financial aid, essay writing, and decision-making to equip high school students with tools to navigate postsecondary education planning.
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Student-Led Community Service Programs 1 activity
- Community engagement and volunteer programmingOffers year-round volunteer opportunities, community days, cultural field trips, and service requirements, including mandatory participation in community contributions and on-site volunteering at camp, to foster civic responsibility and sustained engagement.
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Youth and Family Cooking Education 1 activity
- Farm-based education and culinary programmingEngages campers in hands-on farm activities including raising chickens and goats, growing organic produce, and culinary education using farm-grown ingredients and culturally relevant recipes as part of a working farm program on a 100-acre property.
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Summer Camp Access Scholarships 1 activity
- Free summer sleepaway camp program for underserved youthProvides a free 12-day summer sleepaway camp experience at a 100-acre farm in the Catskills for middle and high school students from underserved New York City communities, featuring outdoor adventures, farm-based education, health and wellness activities, team-building, and leadership development.
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School and School-Community Events 1 activity
- Social and orientation events for campers and familiesHosts social and orientation events such as bowling and arcade outings, Family Orientation days, and community gatherings to build connections among campers, families, and staff before and during the camp cycle.
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Year-round leadership development programmingOffers virtual and in-person leadership programs for middle and high schoolers, including a six-session LEADERS Certification Course and a seven-session FUTURES program, focused on building emotional intelligence, teamwork, confidence, and leadership skills, with a culminating Leadership Certificate.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$830K
Contributions & grants$814K98%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$16K2%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$790K
Program expenses61%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising27%
Salaries & benefits$284K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$996K
Cash$403K
Investments$155K
Liabilities$40K
Net assets$955K
Liquid reserves8.5 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +5.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 21
- BETH ROCKOFF — BOARD MEMBER
- BOB GREEN — BOARD MEMBER
- BRUCE LEDERMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- CHERYL KESSNER — PROGRAM CHAIRMAN
- GLENN BINDAY — BOARD MEMBER
- JANICE STARR — SECRETARY
- JAY ZIMNER — BOARD MEMBER
- JEFFREY FOGELSON — BOARD MEMBER
- JEFFREY KOSLOWSKY — BOARD MEMBER
- JOHN STARKS — BOARD MEMBER
- JULIUS BERGER — BOARD MEMBER
- LEONARD SPIVAK — BOARD MEMBER
- MICHAEL KESSNER — BOARD MEMBER
- RACHEL KESSNER — BOARD MEMBER
- ROBERT KESSNER — BOARD MEMBER
- RON BINDAY — VICE CHAIRMAN
- SCOTT STRAUB — TREASURER
- SHARON CHARLES — BOARD MEMBER
- STACY BONAGURA — BOARD MEMBER
- STEVE KESSNER — BOARD CHAIRMAN
- SUSAN BLUM — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 11
Who they work with
- Back on My Feet Partner — Shared leadership connection through Terence Gerchberg, Chief Development Officer at Back on My Feet and member of Steve's Camp Board of Directors.
- Bowlero Times Square Partner — Host venue for Steve's Camp group event featuring bowling, arcade games, and meals.
- Community Garden Partner — Partners with a community garden for visits and programming.
- Horizon Farms Partner — Hosts Steve's Camp on its 100-acre working farm property, providing access to animals and gardens for educational programming.
- K5 Equities, LLC Partner — Founded by Steve, the founder of Steve's Camp, and represented on the Board by Michael Kessner.
- Kayleen Partner — Former camper from the Bronx, NY who returned as a counselor, representing the camper-to-leader model.
- Lenape people Government — Recognizes the 100-acre Horizon Farms property as located on the traditional territory of the Lenape people.
- TCS NYC Marathon Partner — Partnered to enable fundraising participation through the 2026 TCS NYC Marathon.
- TCS New York City Marathon Partner — Collaborates to offer guaranteed race entries in exchange for fundraising to support camp programs.
- Tati Mwezi Partner — Former camper from the Bronx, NY who progressed to program director, exemplifying long-term leadership development within the organization.
- The R.E. Group of Companies Partner — Founded by Steve, the founder of Steve's Camp, and linked through shared leadership and mission alignment.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Centered Empowerment Rooted in Justicemethodology: community_centered_empowermentBy creating supportive, justice-oriented environments and year-round relationship-building with families, the organization empowers youth to set and pursue personal and academic goals because sustained, trust-based community connections foster agency and goal-directed behavior.
- Experiential Nature-Based Youth Developmentmethodology: experiential_nature_based_developmentBy immersing youth from urban, economically excluded communities in structured, nature-based experiences on a working farm, the organization fosters personal growth, emotional regulation, and identity development because direct engagement with nature and hands-on activities provides transformative developmental opportunities not accessible in their daily environments.
- Farm-to-Table Experiential Education with Cultural Relevancemethodology: farm_to_table_education_culturalBy integrating hands-on farming, animal care, and culinary activities that honor campers’ cultural food traditions, the organization supports holistic youth development because connecting food systems education to personal and community identity deepens engagement and learning.
- Values-Integrated Leadership Pipelinemethodology: values_driven_leadership_pipelineBy grounding programming in shared camp values and creating pathways for campers to return as staff, the organization develops leadership, emotional intelligence, and long-term community ownership because consistent value reinforcement and intergenerational mentorship build internalized responsibility and sustained engagement.