In September of 2006, CSM officially kicked off a major fundraising effort with the announcement of a one million dollar gift from Peggy Wegman and the Wegman Family Charitable Foundation. While the major focus of the campaign is the construction of The Wegman House to replace the aging Big House, funding for many other capital projects is being sought. Read on to learn why your support is so important and for a list of projects you can help with.

Go to our press room for up-to-date announcements and information on the campaign. View photos of our construction progress here.

Values and Lessons for Life. That's Camp Stella Maris. For 80+ years, we have provided a spiritual environment where children can be themselves in a powerful, supportive community. Character-building and resiliency skills combined with values-based programming, healthy risk-taking and positive role models are woven into every youth encounter.

The camp experience is more important today than ever. Just look at some of the staggering trends about today's youth:

· One in three children will be born to a single mom, with one third of those mothers being teenagers.

· Children today spend nearly half of their discretionary time watching television and two out of 10 American children are clinically obese.

· More children have experienced violence in their lives than ever before - and they are responding aggressively.

· The number of prescriptions to treat ADHD has increased 500 percent since 1991, consistent with the rise in the number of children being diagnosed with emotional and behavioral problems.

· The Search Institute's research indicates that the average young person surveyed in the United States experiences only 18 of the 40 Developmental Assets - assets that are concrete, common sense, positive experiences and qualities essential to raising successful young people.

The positive youth development approach suggests that helping young people to achieve their full potential is the best way to prevent them from engaging in risky behaviors. Organizations and communities - like Camp Stella Maris -that promote positive youth development give children the chance to exercise leadership, build skills, and get involved in the community. The self-confidence, trust, and practical knowledge that young people gain from these opportunities help them mature into healthy, happy, self-sufficient adults who are productive members of society.

As Camp Stella Maris continues to enhance its youth development focus with evolving programming, increased outreach to diverse and special needs populations, and recruitment and retention of qualified staff, it is necessary that the Camp's facilities support this vision.

Everyone has a role to play in helping his or her community promote positive youth development.

Join us. Be part of the youth development effort. Together we can help children gain social confidence, problem solving skills, autonomy, and a sense of purpose and future.

Initiatives you can support! CSM is seeking additional campaign support to fund the following projects. For more information on making a gift to the campaign, please call John Quinlivan at 346-2243, ext. 102, or download a letter of intent. Consider planned giving or a multi-year pledge and support CSM, a positive youth-development community.