Support The Austin Sunshine Camps!

Dave Floyd, Supervising Games at a Sunshine Camps Carnival Night in 2008

As a member of the Austin Young Men's Business League, I'm raising funds for the Austin Sunshine Camps.  Please consider supporting our efforts to ensure that deserving, yet underprivileged kids in Austin have a chance to go to summer camp this year. They will not only have a lot of fun, but they will also learn about responsibility, teamwork, and respect.

Below are some compelling figures regarding the Camps:

• The Austin Sunshine Camps annually serves 850 low income children from the Austin area.
• Our life changing programs are offered free of charge to the camper's family - funds are provided through our annual fundraising campaign.
• 67% of campers come from households with an annual income less than $23,550 (federal poverty line)
• 29% of those incomes fall below $12,000 annually.
• The Austin Sunshine Camps has served more than 47,000 disadvantaged youth since its founding in 1928.
• 80% of the ASC budget is used directly towards our programs (not just camp).

I have volunteered at the Sunshine Camps in the past, and I have always been impressed by the profound positive effects the Camp programs have on the participants.  For many of the younger kids, the Sunshine Camps provide their first experience at a camp of any kind.  For the kids who transition into the Leadership programs for middle and high school students, the Camps provide training and mentoring opportunities which help the participants graduate from high school and have a chance to attend college.    Supporting the Sunshine Camps is investing in these kids, all of whom are from underprivileged backgrounds and would not be able to benefit from above referenced opportunities without generous support from individual and organizational donors. 

For every $350 that is raised, we send a 7-11 year old kid to the Zilker Camp. For every $600 raised, we send a 12-15 year old to the Lake Travis Camp. Even $20 donations add up fast, but the more you can spare the better.  Here's the link to my YMBL donation page:  http://www.ymblgiving.org/Dave-Floyd

Thanks for your support! 

+Dave Floyd 

Sunshine Camps: Donate Today and Send Kids to Camp!

WDFloyd, Supervising a Game at The Sunshine Camps

One of my favorite things about the spring is getting to participate in fundraising for the Austin Sunshine Camps.  I've been in YMBL since 2007, thus this is my fourth year of individual fundraising.  My goal is to take the previous years and blow them out of the water. 


In addition to raising funds for the Camps, I've also volunteered at each location.  I can easily say that what goes on at the Camps is a great experience for the kids who attend.  Moreover, it's a great experience for the guys who volunteer.


Below are some of the stats about The Austin Sunshine Camps (taken from my individual fundraising page): 

• Nearly 1,000 ethnically diverse youth ages 7-18 are served per year.
• 63% are from households with annual incomes of less than $21,000.
• 31% of those annual household incomes fall below $12,000.
• 100% qualify for summer food service which is administered through the camps.
• 71% of campers are from single-parent or foster homes.
• Nearly 50% come from homes with two or more siblings.
• We serve a near equal number of boys and girls.
• Camps are offered free of charge to disadvantaged youth and children from low-income homes.
• Zilker Park Camps are for ages 7-11.
• Lake Travis Camps are for ages 12-15.
• Programs are volunteer-driven—by Young Men’s Business League members and others from the community at-large.
• $519,000+ annual budget is comprised of contributions from private sources—individuals, foundations, and businesses.
• More than 90% of the budget is applied directly to the programs.
• Since 2001, all Leadership participants have earned a high school diploma.
• Since 2001, 95 percent of Leadership participants have attended either a 2-year technical college or a 4-year professional college.
• Presently, there are 11 Sunrise Leadership program graduates in college.

Click here to send some great kids to a great camp:  WDFloyd's Fundraising Page

Austin Sunshine Camps

[photo: me, in position to catch errant tennis balls]


Spring, in addition to being the season of crawfish boils, is also the season for the Austin YMBL fundraising campaign for the Austin Sunshine Camps. Even more than I'd like a pint of Fireman's 4 and a basket of boiled crawfish, I'd really like for you to donate to the Sunshine Camps. Do it through my page, and/or do it through the page of another YMBL member. It all goes to the same great place.

Here are the stats on the camps:

* Nearly 1,000 ethnically diverse youth ages 7-18 are served per year.
* 60% are from households with annual incomes of less than $21,000.
* 31% of those annual household incomes fall below $12,000.
* 100% qualify for summer food service which is administered through the camps.
* 71% of campers are from single-parent or foster homes.
* Nearly 50% come from homes with two or more siblings.
* We serve a near equal number of boys and girls.
* Camps are offered free of charge to disadvantaged youth and children from low-income homes.
* Zilker Park Camps are for ages 7-11.
* Lake Travis Camps are for ages 12-15.
* Programs are volunteer-driven—by Young Men’s Business League members and others from the community at-large.
* $400,000+ annual budget is comprised of contributions from private sources—individuals, foundations, and businesses.
* More than 97.5% of the budget is applied directly to the programs.
* Since 2001, all Leadership participants have earned a high school diploma.
* Since 2001, 95 percent of Leadership participants have attended either a 2-year technical college or a 4-year professional college.
* Presently, there are 16 Sunrise Leadership program graduates in college.

This will be my third summer volunteering at the Camps. I can personally attest that going to the camps is a great experience for these kids. Moreover, the campers in the Leadership program are good, hardworking kids who go to the Camps year round for tutoring, leadership, volunteering, and education programs. $330 will send one kid to camp this summer, but just $25-$50 will go a long way.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, 4/21

HYP Happy Hour @ the Belmont. 6p-9p. 1/2 Price Drinks. Be there to find out how to Have Fun, Build a House, and Change Lives.


Thursday, 4/29

YMBL Spring Fling @ The American Legion House. 6p-9p. I've always had a great time at the YMBL Fall and Spring Flings. There is a small price for this fundraiser, but de minimus for what you get in return. Proceeds will go toward the Austin Sunshine Camps.

Catalyst 8 Happy Hour @ El Sol y La Luna. 6p-8p. Come out and learn how to support the arts in Austin. Get details on the upcoming Summer of Catalyst 8.


These are all good events. Make plans to hit any and all which look appealing.