Crossroads for Kids

CONTACT:

119 Myrtle Street
Duxbury, MA 02332
(781) 834-2700
www.crossroads4kids.org

Bonnie Bowler, Office Manager

DESCRIPTION:

A group of philanthropic Boston businessmen founded Crossroads for Kids in 1936, to provide inner-city children with an overnight summer camp experience. In the 1930s they created several camps: in Duxbury, Camp Wing (named for Daniel Wing, board chairman of the First National Bank in Boston) , and the Duxbury Stockade -- for children 7-11; Camp Mitton (named for George Mitton, a Boston businessman who donated his 15-acre duck hunting lodge in Brewster); and Camp Lapham (donated by Raymond Lapham and named for his parents) in Ashby, MA, especially for homeless, abused or neglected children ages 6-12. Year-round youth development programs for early teenagers have developed to use camp facilities off-season. Today over 1,500 youths attend Crossroads camps; in 68 years they have hosted over 150,000 children. Crossroads focuses on the most vulnerable population: 82% live below the poverty line; just over 12% are homeless; 55% are minorities. All camps are equally divided between boys and girls, referred by over 80 state agencies and charities. Many campers come back year after year, some becoming counselors and other summer staff. The Crossroads experience stays with them their whole lives. It costs $1,800 to host one child for a 21-day stay. Can you help?

(1999: HUMAN SERVICES: Children and Youth: Sports and Summer)