Eric Cooley Campership Fund
Long-term resident cummer Camp can be expensive, so proper planning is important. Not all families can cover the entire cost of their Scout’s camp fee as well as meeting the uniform and equipment needs. It is important to have this conversation with Scouts and their families who want to go to camp. Have the Troop and all Scouts build their own budget. Understand all the costs, and then be sure you understand all the possible income sources to cover those costs. Those may include the family budget, the Troop treasury (part of the dues structure), a part-time job for the Scout, the Chartered Partner, or a special “send our Troop to camp” fundraising activity.
Every Scout who wants a long-term resident camp experience should be able to attend and should not be held back due to financial limitations. Since its founding, a primary aim of Scouting has been to teach self-reliance and promote a strong work ethic. Just as important, is the goal that no Scout be prevented from participating in a Scouting activity because of lack of funds.
The Transatlantic Council is committed to this concept and has established the Eric Cooley Memorial Campership endowment to establish a perpetual source of funds to assist Scout families on a limited basis. The Eric Cooley financial assistance program helps us achieve these objectives. Limited Funds are available to assist families for attendance at Transatlantic Council long-term resident camps or National BSA training events. Funding comes from interest drawn from the principal of the Cooley Campership fund. To honor Eric’s life, these Campership contributions will be used to support youth wishing to attend a TAC long-term resident camp or TAC NYLT course.
All Scouts attending Transatlantic Council long-term resident camps are eligible to apply for a financial assistance if they could not otherwise attend camp without financial assistance. It is our hope that the Scout, their family, and their unit will work together to earn as much of the fee as possible.
The intent is to provide long-term camping experiences, and/or long-term training opportunities to those who need financial assistance. All requests submitted by the stated deadlines will be considered until limited funds are exhausted.
- Applicant must be registered in the Transatlantic Council
- Funds may not be used for BSA Registration fees, Overseas Council Fees, or unit dues.
- Financial assistance is not transferable or refundable and has no cash value.
- The first application deadline is January 15th. The final application deadline is March 15th. Each Scout will be notified before April 15th about the status of their application.
- Financial assistance for multiple weeks of camp will not be considered.
The Council Financial Assistance Committee will determine the status of the financial assistance request after March 15th. A determination letter will be sent to both the parent/guardian and the unit leader.
Download a Financial Assistance (“Campership”) form (“Campership”) form here.
Would you or someone in your unit be interested in donating to the Eric Cooley Financial assistance Fund to help carry on his Scouting legacy? Please go to this site to donate.
Funding for camperships comes from the interest that is drawn off the principal of the Cooley Fund. The more generous our donors can be throughout the year, the more funds can be made available to the benefit of our scouts!
