We provide free quality programs to help Dallas youth.
Over the years, Camp Fire USA Lone Star Council has evolved to meet the changing needs of children and youth and the changing demographics of the Dallas Metroplex. Today, LSC provides FREE afterschool and summer programs to approximately 1,500 unduplicated low-income youth and their families each year. The agency believes that children are the most precious resources and they do well when their families do well; therefore, family strengthening is a cornerstone of LSC programming.
The Dallas area corporate community is concerned about meeting their workforce needs as “boomers” begin to retire. They are keenly aware that DISD has an extremely high dropout rate, especially among minority youth, and it will become increasingly difficult to fill professional and technical positions, as well as entry level jobs.
A significant number of Dallas, Collin and Denton County school-age children endure multiple disadvantages that impact their ability to survive and thrive. The combined effects of poverty, crime, lack of parental involvement and the lack of afterschool programs put these children at continuing risk of failure, now and later in life. Educators, policymakers and families increasingly agree that schools alone cannot meet all of these needs.
The Facts
Our Facts
Our Programs
Why our programs are needed
- 27.1% of Dallas County Residents report they need help from others with reading and writing activities (2008 United Way Community Needs Assessment)
- 26% of children in Dallas County live in poverty (2008 U.S. Census Bureau)
- More than 100,000 children ages 5-13 in Dallas County are left unsupervised after school due to lack of affordable programs (Afterschool Alliance, Oct. 2009)
- The number of children left home has increased over the past five years (Afterschool Alliance, Oct. 2009)
- 95% of Kids Club parents/guardians reported that their children are safer in the program than in alternative care
- 75% of those with report card scores of “C” or below in reading and/or math improved by one or more letter grade
- 90% of Teens in Action participants reported they received the toold they need to become caring, confident youth and future leaders (2010)
- 71% of clients requesting placement in job placement program retained their job for 3 months or more
- 32 individuals were referred to obtain GEDs and 11 for vocational training
- Nearly 200 children and youth attended Ellowi Summer Day Camp, weekend camps, and special retreats for Enviromental education. For many participants this was their first time to go camping. (2010)