Campaign for Camp Compass

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the learning gaps and compounded the learning loss that occurs every summer.

Youth-serving organizations in Springfield, including Compass for Kids, are losing vital funding, such as Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) dollars that helped address pandemic-related learning loss. While the funding is gone, the challenges persist—many kids were already behind before the pandemic and still lack the resources to succeed.

Without fully funded programs, the ripple effects will impact the entire community. Compass has a proven track record of improving reading, math, and social-emotional skills. Community leaders and the U.S. Department of Education recognize its success. Now, it’s up to the community to determine how many children we can continue to support.

Although there is no risk of our Camp Compass program ending, the Federal funding that was once a significant portion of our budget has ended. Without a replacement for the federal money, we are faced with the reality that we may have to turn away hundreds of children next summer.

Springfield Public Schools – District 186 is committed to partnering with Camp Compass because of its history of success and measurable results. However, the expiration of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds means that they do not have the financial resources to sustain the number of campers that have benefitted from Camp Compass in the last few years. They will continue to support Compass with building space, summer meals, transportation, and any other means that are available.

Find out more about how you can help Camp Compass continue to make an impact on the lives of children in Springfield, Illinois. Contact Brandy Stabler, Director of Development, brandy@compassforkids.org for more information.