Allison* and her class visited Dunes Learning Center (DLC), a rite of passage for all 3rd and 4th grade students in the Duneland School Corporation. After the experience, DLC staff asked her teacher to nominate a student who could benefit from attending their summer camp. Hoping the overnight camp experience would help her come out of her shell, Allison’s teacher recommended her for the opportunity, which was supported with a scholarship.
Dunes Learning Center provides learning opportunities in the Indiana Dunes National Park for students of all ages from Porter County, Northwest Indiana, and beyond, impacting more than 200,000 children like Allison since 1998.
“We try to make every day both educational and fun, giving kids an experience they enjoy and want to return to,” Executive Director Heather Hahn Sullivan shared. “Kids blossom at Dunes Learning Center. They love their time here with their classmates and then get to come back. When they return, they are more confident because they have been here and know where things are.”
Allison had such a great experience at summer camp that she returned the following summer. “Social and emotional learning is part of the whole experience,” Heather said. “Kids are not just learning about the Great Lakes ecosystem. Allison gained confidence. Camp gave her a chance to shine.”
Your philanthropic support of the Porter County Community Foundation benefited Allison and her fellow campers by providing new signage and improvements to the lodge, the hub of camp activities. Thank you for being a part of this important work to inspire local children.
*Name changed to protect confidentiality. DLC camper pictured is not the subject of the story.
