Girard College Gears Up For Summer Camp!

Staff of Camp Girard at Girard College are getting ready for a new year of great programs. Camp Girard begins on June 26th and runs through August 4th at the tuition-free, private boarding school at Girard and Corinthian Avenues in North Philadelphia.

Camp Girard is open to neighborhood youth, as well as students of the prestigious school. "It gives them a taste of what it's like 'behind the wall'" said a camp staffer.

Girard College is the legacy of philadelphia tycoon Stephen Girard. www.ushistory.org/Girard The richest man in America at the time of his death. He left the city of Philadelphia, through his last will and testament, a healthy endowment--and the school, his namesake. Of course, it was at that time a school for "poor, white boys" only. Now, nearly 87 percent African American, and nearly half of that population female Girard College is a different place than you may remember.

Steeped in rich tradition and history, Girard offers students regardless of race or gender, an opportunity to learn. That opportunity, is offered in a protected, pastoral environment. You won't read about "Violent Incidents Down" when it comes to Girard College. Those incidents are non-existent. "It's like stepping into a time warp" siad a staff memeber of the after school program. "These kids are different. It's a decided difference" he said.

Camp Girard gives "outsiders" a look inside, and a daily look at life on-campus of the 43 acre inner city fortress. Unlike the school, Camp Girard is not tuition free, but some scholarship assistance is available to underwrite the $80.00 weekly camp fees. That fee includes daily program, three meals and a caring, concerned and competent staff. Camp directress, Shira Woolf-Cohen has assembled an impressive cadre of program staff and offerings to make the trip behind the walls worth the price.

Staff training begins next week, and throughout the season. The camp will be prepared by staff for camp participants about a week prior to opening. Meanwhile, the school's after school component, called G-SAP is winding down as Camp Girard takes center stage for a summer of fun in the sun.

Speaking of center stage: the all school "Spring Concert" happens on Thursday, May 11th on the High School auditorium stage. More information on admissions, Camp Girard and the concert can be found at www.girardcollege.com

Girard College is a tuition-free, private boarding school for children in grades 1 through 12, who have limited family financial resources.

You can learn more about Girard College and Stephen Girard on "Wikipedia" by accessing the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girard_College

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Girard

The Girard JOURNAL Staff
http://GirardJOURNAL.blogspot.com