Another school year is ending and another summer upon us. Some parents plan vacations and begin signing the children up for sailing lessons, tennis lessons and camp. The children's thoughts turn from reading, writing and arithmetic to swimming, fishing and free time. No schedules. No homework.

Then there are other parents in the Boothbay Region that do not plan a vacation and worry about all of that "free time." Many parents are agonizing right now about what their children will do this summer - while they are working - who will be looking after them and how they are ever going to manage to afford any kind of care at all.

The good news for these two-parent and single-parent households, opportunity and summer fun is possible with the help of the YMCA's Camp Knickerbocker Scholarship Fund (CKSF). The CKSF has been providing varying levels of assistance to families since 1985. Candidate requirements are based on income, family size, need - both financial and social. Financial aid forms are required to show proof of income and/or proof of special needs.

In the summer of 2002, 73 children were sponsored for a total of $35,000, made possible by generous donations, for full-time attendance or a specific number of sessions and for the YMCA Overnight Camp in Winthrop. The demographics breakdown for those awarded sponsorships: 38 percent -- Boothbay, 24 percent -- Boothbay Harbor, 16 percent -- Edgecomb, 10 percent -- Trevett, 2 percent -- Southport, and 10 percent -- miscellaneous.

Camp Knickerbocker serves between 200 - 300 children each summer. At the camp, children participate in a number of activities including swimming lessons, arts and crafts, boating, group games, field trips, and horseback riding (in conjunction with Sea-Vu Stables), learn about bike safety and more. This year will mark the "opening" of the Baldwin Center containing a ropes course and wall climbing.

YMCA Financial Officer Christine Vooght appraises all submitted applications. The possibility of obtaining financial aid for Camp Knickerbocker is explained in the Camp brochure, is known through word of mouth and with the help of the schools.

"The schools have been really great because they know the families. They see the need," said Vooght.

At Boothbay Region Elementary School, Vooght is in contact with Jeannie Tonon and Matt Carlson and at the Edgecomb Eddy School, Guidance Counselor Madeline Olney and 4th-6th grade Ed Tech II Stacy McLellan go over the enrollment list and identify potential recipients.

"These are kids that would never see camp otherwise," said McLellan, "Three families, totaling six children, will hopefully benefit from the fund this year. I really feel for these families. What do you do with your kids? Parents are left in a really rough spot."

Said Vooght, "We really try to provide everybody with assistance. This year the demands have grown due to the economy, so we are being inundated with scholarship fund requests. In many cases, it is a daycare situation; a vital necessity."

Indeed, in years past, the Y has ended up subsidizing more scholarships than there was funding for. Now, however, even the YMCA is in the midst of a budget crunch, making the need to increase resources critical. For future seasons, the YMCA will be looking into grant money to help support the scholarship fund.

Several organizations have played a role in the continued success of the fund through their monetary and/or time donations. The following is a list of those groups that have made the fund a continued reality for region residents: Southport Island Association, Boothbay YMCA Coastal Club, Seaside Lodge, Barters Island Community Association, Downeast Energy & Building Supply, Boothbay Region Lions Club, Boothbay Region Greenhouses, Order of the Eastern Star Crescent Chapter, St. Columba's and All Saints Outreach Fund, and the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. All groups and individual donors are gratefully appreciated; without them the fund would be limited to far fewer children.

In addition to money raised locally, there are other sources that Vooght taps into when possible. Examples of these sources are "Respite Services" through the State of Maine, "Family Focus" out of Brunswick, and "Aspire" through the Department of Human Resources. Unfortunately, the status of "Respite Services" is up in the air until July 1, at which time what amount, if any, will be available this season.

"We build strong kids, strong families and strong communities," is the Boothbay Region YMCA's motto. It reflects the strength, dedication and commitment of not only the YMCA, but of the community of which it serves.

All Camp Knickerbocker Scholarship Fund (CKSF) donations are tax deductible. Checks should be made payable to the Boothbay Region YMCA with a CKSF notation. For more information on how you can help, contact Christine Vooght by calling 633-2855.