Equitable Access Model

Generates local employment opportunities and provides financial stipends to classroom hosts as part of program operations, maintaining between 60 and 80 jobs annually and distributing $405,000 in 2024 and $300,000 in 2025 in classroom stipends.

Provides hands-on science instruction, weekly swim lessons through the Whale Tales program, science kits, and family engagement initiatives as part of the summer learning curriculum. These enriched supports are integrated into daily programming to promote academic and personal development.

Designed and implemented the Summer 2020 Family Support Initiative (FSI) to adapt programming during the pandemic, ensuring continued engagement and support for families during a period of disrupted in-person services.

Has served increasing numbers of students since 2011, from 325 students in summer 2011 to 1,512 in 2018, with adjusted enrollment in subsequent years, including 260 students in summer 2025. The organization scaled to serve over 1,500 students across 23 sites and 100 classrooms at its peak.

Runs summer learning programs at multiple community-based locations in Rochester, including Adams Street R Center, Baden Street Settlement, Friendship Children's Center, Generations Child Care, Ibero Early Childhood Center, Pamela & Trenton Jackson R Center, Little Hearts Child Care, and Rochester Childfirst Network.

Provides high-quality, tuition-free summer academic programming for students from under-resourced communities in Rochester, NY, with a focus on early learners and incoming kindergarten students. Programs include instruction in literacy, numeracy, science, and social-emotional learning, delivered across multiple community-based sites.

Serves nutritious meals to students during the summer program, providing 16,800 meals in 2024 and 15,600 meals in 2025 as part of its commitment to student well-being and food security.

Recruits and engages partners from colleges, universities, private schools, suburban school districts, and child-serving agencies to support and expand summer learning initiatives across the Greater Rochester region.

Provides financial assistance to children from families unable to afford camp fees, enabling attendance at day and residential Jewish camps.

Implements health and safety protocols including vaccination requirements with medical exceptions only, health screenings for contagious symptoms via an on-site Health Center, hand hygiene promotion, tick removal when authorized, sunscreen reapplication assistance, and mask or testing requirements for unvaccinated individuals returning from illness.

Enforces a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and harassment based on race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic background, gender identity, or sexual identity, and conducts ongoing staff training and programming that celebrates cultural differences.

Provides a traditional day camp experience in Haines Falls, NY, approximately two hours north of New York City, featuring outdoor activities, sports, arts and crafts, swimming, field trips, and nature-based programming for children ages 3 to 15.

Offers need-based financial aid for families with incomes under $125,000 or special financial circumstances, along with installment payment plans and sibling discounts to increase accessibility to camp programs.

Offers structured leadership programs including a Leader in Training (LIT) program for ages 13–14 and a Counselors in Training (CIT) program for ages 15–16, focusing on outdoor leadership, service projects, camper management skills, and job readiness, with some participants receiving stipends or salaries.

Operates an alumni page to help past campers reconnect, submit photos and stories, and schedule reunions at the camp.

FRIENDS OF CAMP HOLLIS INC provides grants to reduce the cost of summer camp for children, supporting access to camp experiences.

Provides instructional programs in scuba diving (including Beginner Open Water and Advanced Diver Certification), sailing, and ocean discovery as structured camp electives, with certification courses available for an additional fee.

Provides educational and faith-based learning programs for children through young professionals year-round, integrating surfing and other recreational activities to teach Jewish values and traditions.