A summer camp for teens who want to make a difference
We're a camp unlike any other.
Heads Up! Hartford campers want something more than a typical summer camp-- they're looking for an opportunity to help their community, challenge themselves, and grow as leaders.
Our campers are leaders.
Our mission is to cultivate growth of leadership skills, love of community service, and appreciation for diversity. Coming from across the state, our campers gather to dedicate their time to develop as leaders as they give back to our community-- at camp, at our community service sites, and throughout the year.
Dedication to Community
Heads Up! Hartford takes place on the campus of the Ethel Walker School, a boarding middle and high school in Simsbury, Connecticut.
We love our campus! It’s built for high school students, so it’s always ready with whatever our campers need. It’s close to our nonprofit partners across the greater Hartford area, and it’s a beautiful place to spend time together at camp.
Camp is for everyone.
Heads Up! Hartford has been a trusted 501(c)(3) nonprofit for over 20 years. Our volunteers work hard to ensure that all teens can grow at Heads Up! Hartford– as leaders, volunteers, friends, and members of their communities– regardless of ability to pay.
We use a 4-tiered system for camp fees to ensure that we can create more equitable access, enabling all of our teens to experience camp. The tier you select is voluntary and confidential, and does not affect your child’s experience at camp. Please choose the tier that is most appropriate for your family’s budget.
Tier 1: $1150
This is the true and unsubsidized cost of 1 week of sleepaway camp at Heads Up! Hartford, and includes the cost of meals, transportation, equipment, and facility rentals.
Tier 2: $700
This rate is 60% of the true cost of 1 week of camp. It is 30% subsidized by Heads Up! Hartford; we dedicate funds from our volunteers’ fundraising efforts throughout the year to enable more teens to attend camp.
Tier 3: $350
This rate is 30% of the true cost of a week at camp. It is 60% subsidized by our Heads Up! Hartford volunteers’ fundraising efforts.
Tier 4: Other
If tier 3 is not within range for your family, we will work to accommodate your family’s budget so that camp is possible for your child.
There is no additional paperwork needed to access financial aid options; campers and their families should proceed with the registration form.
About Us
Organization
Our 20-Year History
Our 20-Year History
Heads Up! Hartford is guided by a board of directors made up of individuals who believe that we are stronger together and are dedicated to the continued success of the organization, including a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Board is responsible for financial oversight and funding of the camp, as well as recruitme
Heads Up! Hartford is guided by a board of directors made up of individuals who believe that we are stronger together and are dedicated to the continued success of the organization, including a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Board is responsible for financial oversight and funding of the camp, as well as recruitment of the Operations Committee.
The Operations Committee is responsible for planning and executing the camp itself, in cooperation with the Youth Advisory Board. This board is made up of campers who work to become leaders at Heads Up Hartford. Each of these groups reports to the Board of Directors.
Our 20-Year History
Our 20-Year History
Our 20-Year History
In 2003, our founding committee organized the camp, recruited the participants, and sought funding for the idea. The original camp was faith-based in its development and included 70 youth and 18 adults who worked almost exclusively on playground improvement and interaction with the children of Hartford Head Start, sponsored by the Communi
In 2003, our founding committee organized the camp, recruited the participants, and sought funding for the idea. The original camp was faith-based in its development and included 70 youth and 18 adults who worked almost exclusively on playground improvement and interaction with the children of Hartford Head Start, sponsored by the Community Renewal Team.
By gathering the youth together and giving them meaningful responsibilities, they developed leadership skills, an appreciation for diversity, and an understanding of the power of giving back to the community.
Over time, the founding committee was encouraged to create a more permanent organization. We formed a formal Board of Directors and an Operations team, and received IRS exemption status for nonprofits on June 28, 2005.
Today, Heads Up! Hartford is a secular organization eager to work with all campers, families, and organizations that share our values of community service and youth leadership development.
Funding
Our 20-Year History
Funding
We are funded by grants from philanthropic foundations, sponsorships from businesses, gifts from individuals, camper registrations, and donations from participating organizations.
We also receive a number of services and products which are donated by local businesses.
We accept donations online and via check.
Camp Leadership
Board of Directors:
Basil Mahoney
Kendall Okeke
Linda Spiers
Andrea Sullivan
Gayle Wilcox
Ryan Cudworth
Caroline Aramini
Catherine Chester
Operations Committee:
Patti Cole - Camp Director
Rose Murphy - Camp Director
Ryan Cudworth
Ann McAdoo
Erin McAdoo
Julie McGarry
Jim Pestana
Linda Spiers
Andrea Sullivan
Gayle Wilcox
Our Major Funders
Our Community Organization Partners
We are thankful to have a variety of community partners that enable us to fulfill our mission.
A Better Chance, Glastonbury
Asylum Hill Learning Center
Brookdale South Windsor
Charities of Hope
Chrysalis Center
Church of the Good Shepherd, Hartford
Community Renewal Team
ConnectiKids
EHIM Friendship Center
Family Life Education
Foodshare
Gifts of Love
Healing Meals Community Project
Higley Village/Metacomet E. Granby
Meadowbrook of Granby
My Sisters' Place
S. Granby Congregational Church
St. Dunstan Pantry Garden
Summer of Solutions Hartford
The Village for Families & Children
West Hartford Fellowship Senior Housing
