The Arizona Daily Star Sportsmen’s Fund has successfully raised a total of $263,457 to provide summer camp scholarships for children from low-income families and active military households in Southern Arizona. This initiative allows local youth to participate in various outdoor camps, fostering personal development and social skills during the summer months.
Each year, the Sportsmen’s Fund facilitates scholarships for children to attend weeklong camps, including programs offered by the YMCA, Scouting America (formerly the Boy Scouts), and the Girl Scouts. The fund also supports special needs children through overnight camping experiences at Camp Tatiyee. In a new development for 2025, scholarships for students from Flowing Wells will enable them to attend the Sky School camp on Mt. Lemmon.
Scholarship Impact and Future Plans
Since its inception in 1947, the Sportsmen’s Fund has assisted over 44,814 children in attending summer camps. This year alone, the organization has allocated $256,252 for scholarships, enabling 423 boys and girls from Southern Arizona to experience the joy of camp. In a significant boost, a $5,000 donation from the Catalina Rotary Club during their Denim and Diamond event in October will expand the camp offerings in 2026. This expansion will include a partnership with the University of Arizona Sky School at the Steward Observatory, providing a four-day, three-night science camp for middle and high school students from Title 1 schools.
The Sportsmen’s Fund prides itself on being one of the most efficient charities in Arizona, with an impressive 97 cents of every dollar raised directly funding scholarships. Contributions to the Sportsmen’s Fund are eligible for an Arizona tax credit, making it an attractive option for donors. Joint Arizona filers can donate up to $987 for their 2025 taxes, while individual filers can contribute up to $495.
How to Contribute
Donations are welcomed throughout the year, with recent contributions including amounts from individuals and organizations such as Regina Bohnert ($15), John A. Booth ($100), and the Catalina Rotary Club ($5,000). Interested parties can donate directly through the website azsendakidtocamp.org, or send checks made out to the Sportsmen’s Fund to: Send a Kid to Camp, P.O. Box 16141, Tucson, AZ 85732-6141.
For those aged 70½ or older with savings in an IRA, there are additional tax benefits available through direct donations from IRAs. Such contributions may qualify as a Qualifying Charitable Distribution, allowing donors to potentially deduct the donation even if they opt for the standard deduction. For personalized advice, consult a tax professional.
For further details, contact Debbie Kornmiller at 520-954-3139 or via email at [email protected]. The Arizona Daily Star Sportsmen’s Fund continues to make a meaningful impact in the community by providing invaluable summer camp experiences to children in need.
