Santa Barbara Police Activities League

The "Campership Alliance" was established in 2000 for low income families to have one place to go to find summer camp scholarship opportunities available for their children. Although the South Coast is rich with countless camps available for children, there wasn't one place for families to go to find all possible camperships. The partners that now comprise the "Campership Alliance" appointed SBPAL as the lead agency to establish an agreed upon campership qualification based on income eligibility, age and gender, and to complete the registration process.

During the spring of each year, SBPAL contacts the alliance partners and establishes a list of camperships available. SBPAL then sends out written notification to previous participants and those referred to SBPAL by school advocates of upcoming camps available during the summer. Registration takes place over a two week period of time at SBPAL for the more than 550 camps made available each summer. Camperships participants are given the opportunity to participate in an experience that will enrich and expand their lives.

Camps start in early June through the end of August, camps include junior lifeguards, zoo camps, science camps, day camps, overnight camps, Cops N Kids, engineering camp, etc. SBPAL also contributes free transportation throughout the summer to and from their schools and homes for those who have no other means.

In 2007, SBPAL received the Leadership in Action award from the Nonprofit Support Center for its role in the successful development of the program. Campership attendance has increased every year since its inception.