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Cambridge Camping Association is a social service agency committed to
enabling any child who wants to go to camp to do so. We take particular care
to ensure that low-income, minority, at-risk and other traditionally
excluded children are afforded the opportunity of access to a summer camping
experience.

Description:
CCA recognizes camp as a positive, effective service, both preventative and
therapeutic, that fosters self-esteem and skills development, with lasting
impact on positive physical, educational and social growth. Camp brings
together children and staff from diverse racial, ethnic and social back
grounds in a setting that emphasizes group cooperation as well as
appreciation of individual differences and similarities.

CCA services and programs respond to changing community and family needs,
and include residential, day and school year camp opportunities.

History:
The Cambridge Camping Association was formed in 1893 when several families in West Upton, MA invited 14 children to spend a week as guests on their farms. Cambridge Camping assisted families with arranging such "fresh air" retreats and over the years it expanded to include referrals to camps for children, collaborations with camps to provide summer fun, and a scholarship program to make overnight camping accessible to needy children. In 1968, responding to the increasing costs of day camps for families, Cambridge Camping opened the "Inner City Day Camp" for Cambridge Residents. In 1993 the camp was renamed through a camper contest to "Cambridge Adventure Day Camp." In 1990, seeing a need for a program for children with emotional and behavioral difficulties, Daybreak Day Camp begins its first year.

Contact people:

JL Woodward, Coordinator, (phone) Syrl Silberman, Office Manager/Registrar, (phone), (email) Syrl Silberman, Executive Director, (phone), (email)

Address:

99 Bishop Allen Drive Cambridge, MA 02139 (See a map)

Directions:

Take Cambridge Street to Storrow Drive West. Take the Western Ave. exit. Follow the exit straight across the Charles River on the River St. Bridge. Once you are over the bridge follow River Street straight into Central Square. After the mass. ave. intersection you are on Prospect St. Take the first right onto Bishop Allen Drive. We are on the corner of Bishop Allen Drive and Essex St., one block from Prospect. We are in the basement of a 3 story brick building, look for our sign and bell. There is ample metered parking on the stret and in several parking lots nearby.   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Central Square,   Walk distance (in minutes): 2   Nearest Bus Stop: Mass Ave, 2 minute walk For maps or information, please see http://www.mbta.com

Overall Experience   
An overall rewarding and fulfilling experience

Cambridge Camping is a great agency that gives inner city kids a structured environment where they can have fun and learn from new experiences. I've gained greater confidence in myself and the camp has taught me how to better deal with children and with co-workers. posted on August 16, 2002