Summertime Kids Grants Program
Every summer since 1992, the Summertime Kids program has helped thousands of youth have life-changing summer experiences. Many of these youth are from low income families and underserved communities. All donations benefit recreational, enrichment, and mentoring activities for youth in summer camps that are offered by local nonprofit organizations, neighborhood groups, and other community groups.
Cumberland Community Foundation currently supports eighteen exceptional programs.

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Autism Society of North Carolina- Camp Royall
At Camp Royall, campers with autism make friends, gain new skills, and participate in summer camp activities in an environment where they are fully supported and accepted. Due to the medical and behavioral complexities of autism, many of the campers find their only opportunity for a classic camp experience at Camp Royall. The camper-to-counselor ratio of 1:1 or 2:1 ensures each camper receives specialized support for their unique needs. The Summertime Kids grant provides scholarships for Cumberland County youth to attend Camp Royall.
www.autismsociety-nc.org/camp-royall/ -
Cape Fear Botanical Garden - Summer Camps
This summer camp instills a love for nature in children ages 4 - 14 through exceptional quality educational and cultural programming. Camp provides an unforgettable experience for children by introducing them to the wonders of nature through immersive outdoor exploration, the process of hands-on scientific discovery, the joy of growing plants, the creativity of blending nature and art, and the opportunity to make new friends.
910-486-0221
www.capefearbg.org -
Cape Fear Regional Theatre - Summer Theatre Camp at CFRT
These summer camps provide local students age 6 - 19 with artistic enrichment that combats summer slide. Through instruction in theatre disciplines like acting, music, and dance, students can improve their reading and comprehension skills, public speaking, and collaboration. Working with their peers in preparation for live performances also supports student's mental and social wellbeing and emotional intelligence as they strive to accomplish something bigger than themselves.
910-323-2324
www.CFRT.org
(CCF's grant goes towards enrollment scholarships.) -
Communities United for Youth Development – Rising Leaders, Changing the World
This camp provides programming focused on helping students develop the skills to succeed in school and life. Students will be involved in teamwork, public speaking, problem-solving, self-awareness, critical thinking activities, and leadership through sports. Summer camp runs for two weeks and gives students a chance to have fun, explore character building opportunities, and experiment through academic creativity. Students are involved in on-site learning as well as exploring the world around them through field trips.
910-425-3664 -
Cumberland County Public Library – 2025 Summer Reading Program
The 2025 summer reading program theme, "Color Our World," encourages children and teens to read during the summer by providing them with incentives during various intervals of reading time across all eight public library locations. During Summertime Kids programming, library staff visits the other Summertime Kids partner locations and provides each camper with two books they may take home to begin or supplement their home libraries. Children and teens also receive a book tote bag they may use during future library visits. During these interactive visits, participants discuss books and may hear reading suggestions from library staff and receive information about library resources available to them and their families.
910-483-7727 -
Fayetteville/Cumberland Parks & Recreation - Aquatics Swim Camp
FCPR Swim Camps focus on developing the four basic swimming strokes, promoting water safety, and providing a safe environment for fun and leisure. Youth swimmers ages 5 to 17 develop their skills while experiencing a highly social environment fostered by positive role models in the community. The camps include swim instruction, games, and safety skills. Each camp runs for 4 days, with two camps held per week, and is open to children of all ability levels.
www.fcpr.us Click on Programs & Activities and then Summer Camps -
Fayetteville/Cumberland Parks & Recreation - Clark Park Nature Center, Lake Rim Park, and Mazarick Park
Children ages 5-16 years old are exposed to nature and outdoor recreation activities such as primitive survival skills, archery, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, and geocaching. The participants gain a deeper understanding of the natural world while making new friends, building self-confidence, increasing science literacy and enjoying the outdoors. The goal is for older campers to walk away with new outdoor skills and for younger campers to learn about the natural world through hands-on activities.
910-433-1579
www.fcpr.us Click on Programs & Activities and then Summer Camps -
Fayetteville/Cumberland Parks & Recreation - Fayetteville Flyers Track Program
The mission of the Fayetteville Flyers Track & Field program is to provide an affordable outlet for area youth, age 7 - 18. Participants work with coaches to develop their athletic skill set, while also enjoying the opportunity to develop interpersonal relationships, skills in conflict resolution and leadership, and the chance to mentor/be mentored. A competitive mindset is taught, along with the ability to understand an individual’s own skills, possible limitations, and areas for growth. The program also offers the opportunity for competition at the state, regional, and national level for those interested in participating.
www.fcpr.us Click on Programs & Activities and then Summer Camps -
Fayetteville State University - 2025 Space Camp
This camp is for rising 7th-12th grade students. The program is part of the NASA Astro Camp and will focus on space exploration with the Rockets & Robots program. During this week-long camp (9:00 am – 4:00 pm), students will learn how rockets work, build, and launch them. They will create and code their own rocket flight computer, and explore the history and future of space exploration. Students will dive into chemistry, physics, and the math behind rocketry, and learn how current technologies can advance their future career goals related to STEM and space.
910-672-1926
(CCF's grant goes towards enrollment scholarships.} -
Fayetteville Urban Ministry – Find-A-Friend Summer Achievement Camp
This camp celebrates the achievements of and enriches the lives of at-risk and court-involved youth on a weekly basis through a variety of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. This camp allows youth to experience activities that will be a mixture of education and fun. Such activities include field trips to the zoo, aquarium, college tours, and explore local staples such as Cape Fear Regional Theatre and Clark Park Nature Center. The achievement camp runs Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for 6 weeks and the time of operation for the camp is from 7 am – 6 pm.
910-483-4661
www.fayurbmin.org Click on Programs then Find-A-Friend -
First Tee-Sandhills - Summer Golf Camps in Cumberland County
This summer, First Tee - Sandhills will offer multiple half-day camp options in Cumberland County. Youth will learn new golf skills and valuable life skills, have fun through creative games, and get the opportunity to make new friends! Some camps will also incorporate STEM education, exposing participants to all the different ways Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are involved in the game of golf! Golf equipment is provided, and scholarships are available.
910-255-3035
www.firstteesandhills.org
(CCF's grant goes towards enrollment scholarships.} -
Greater Life of Fayetteville - "I Am YOU-nique" Summer Academy
The "I AM YOU-nique" Summer Academy is a four-week summer program for rising 1st through 8th graders who are struggling academically and socially throughout the school year. The program includes academics (math, reading, science, and social studies), interpersonal behavior skills, event planning, team collaboration, cultural and historical art, and vocals. This is accomplished through a community art project, an Etiquette Affair gala, organic gardening, and various field trips, all to help change lives through these various activities. The program also includes visits from community leaders and collaboration with other organizations and concludes with the "Through My Eyes Street Fest”, displaying the artistry of each youth. The program is available at no cost to eligible families.
910-364-9531
www.greaterlifeoffayetteville.org -
Moore Street Foundation - Adventure Zone Summer STREAM Camp
Discover, Experiment, and Explore!
Join us for an exciting STEM Explorer Summer Camp, where young scientists will dive into hands-on experiments, creative challenges, and engaging activities that bring Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STREAM) to life! Designed for Kindergarten through 5th grade, our camp is packed with interactive lessons that spark curiosity and encourage exploration.
910-483-6505 -
Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex - Summer History Camp: Decoding the Past
During this 5-day camp, participants will learn about techniques historians use to tell the stories of people, places, and events; and explore how clues from the past like personal objects, archeology, and research help historians put together exhibits to share these stories. Campers will create their own exhibit that will be displayed at the Museum of the Cape Fear. The week will feature special guest experts, crafts, and lots of fun!
910-500-4243
www.museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov -
Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center - Day Camp Camperships at Rockfish Camp & Retreat Center
Camperships support local children to attend elementary day camp (ages 5-11) and Encounter Day Camp (ages 12-14) Monday-Friday for week-long sessions offered 9 weeks of the summer. They develop friendships, character, and faith through a variety of outdoor programs, including field games, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, fishing, and more. The theme this year is "Knock at the Door." Together we will learn to listen for God's knock even with the loud distractions of life.
910-425-3529
www.camprockfish.org
(CCF's grant goes towards enrollment scholarships.) -
Salvation Army - Red Shield Summer Day Camp
This summer day camp offers a safe, welcoming space for kids to play, learn, and connect with others in a loving, Christian environment. Designed for school-aged children in grades 1–4, the camp focuses on character development and building self-confidence. Activities include educational enrichment, themed weeks, arts and crafts, weekly field trips, daily organized recreation, and uplifting motivational/ devotional messages each day.
The camp runs for 10 weeks (June 2-August 8), Monday through Friday, 7:45 am-5:15 pm
910-483-8119
www.salvationarmycarolinas.org -
Special Olympics Cumberland County- Swim Camp
The primary mission of the Special Olympics Cumberland County Swim Camp is to introduce individuals with intellectual disabilities between the ages of 8 and 17 to swimming. This program is for for athletes who have no previous swimming experience and provides them the opportunity to learn
basic swimming techniques and become more comfortable in the water. This is done through group lessons and one-on-one coaching with a swim trainer. -
Vision Resource Center - Summer Camp Explosion
The VRC Summer Camp Explosion's mission is to empower visually impaired youth. They encourage social interaction and engagement with the greater community, building confidence in our youth members, raising awareness among their peer groups, and normalizing interaction with the public. VRC will partner with other community programs and STK partners to provide an authentic camp experience for many who have not had the chance before.
910-483-2719
www.visionresourcecentercc.org