Welcome to the 2024 Coastie Camper Season.

Apply April 1-August 31, 2024

The Coast Guard Foundation’s youth enrichment program- affectionately known as “Coastie Campers,” offers Coast Guard families all across the country the opportunity to apply for a grant to help defray the cost of summer camps and activities.

Eligible Coast Guard members may apply for a $500 grant to cover the cost of their children’s summer camp registration or new software and hardware that will help with at-home learning. Simply put, this is a chance to pay for camp or purchase a Chromebook, iPad, or Kindle, to name a few options.

To maximize this opportunity for as many Coast Guard families as we can, we limit the grant opportunity to one $500 grant per family.

Program Specifics and Eligibility Requirements

• The Coast Guard Foundation summer youth enrichment program open application period is April 1-August 31, 2024, as funds remain.
• DEERS-certified dependent child of an active-duty Coast Guard member in pay grades E2 to E9, O1-O3, W2-W3.
•  DEERS-certified dependent child of a Coast Guard Reserve member in pay grades E2 to E9, O1-O3, W2-W3, on current active-duty orders.
• Dependent children must be aged 5-18 years old.
• Each qualified Coast Guard member is eligible for one $500 grant. You may apply for each dependent child to reach the $500 total per family. One grant per household. If you request a grant for more than one child per family, complete a separate application for each child.
• To be fair and equitable to Coast Guard families all across the country, our grant funds are allocated by Coast Guard district. As a district’s funds are used, this program announcement and the application will update with the current status of available funds. Within the district categories, grants are awarded in the order they are received.
•  All selection results are final.
• Submitting an application does not guarantee funding of a grant.
•  All grant recipients will be notified by the Coast Guard Foundation of their selection. Selected applicants will be contacted by email as the primary form of notification; we may call or send a formal letter via mail to the home address on file if necessary.
• Grant recipients have 30 days from notification to accept the grant award and submit requested documentation or the grant award may be forfeited. 
• Periodic changes may influence the funding levels of these grants. As a result, the Coast Guard Foundation does not guarantee the future funding levels for this program. The Coast Guard Foundation reserves the right to reduce or discontinue any award due to the non-availability of funding, without advance notice.

How to Apply

• Applications must be completed and submitted online coastguardfoundation.org/coastiecamper
• A copy of your DEERS/MilConnect Service member profile page, which can be found on the MilConnect beneficiary web enrollment section, is required with your application to verify eligibility.
• Proof of enrollment and payment receipt for camp and enrichment activities and technology purchases will be requested and must be submitted after your grant is approved. Required documentation includes the cost of the activity, such as a flyer or brochure, or a letter from the organization, which clearly states the program's cost and the program dates. Proof of payment includes a copy of a receipt or email notification of payment. 
• If you have a question about the camp or program your child is participating in or the required documentation, please email the Coast Guard Foundation at swilliams@coastguardfoundation.org, or call 860-535-0786.

We are often asked, "what types of programs are eligible for a summer camp grant?"  While this list isn't all inclusive, we hope it will help you prepare your application.  If you're unsure, don't hesitate to reach out to ask us about your child's specific summer program/activity.

Youth Sports Camps & Programs      

• Archery
• Baseball
• Basketball
• Bowling
• Boxing
• Cheerleading                
• Cross Country
• Cycling
• Dancing
• Field Hockey
• Football
• Golf            
• Gymnastics
• Horseback Riding
• Ice Hockey
• Ice Skating
• In-Line Hockey            
• Lacrosse
• Martial Arts
• Pickleball and Paddleball
• Rowing            
• Sailing
• Scuba
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming            
• Tennis/Racquet Sports
• Track & Field
• Volleyball
• Wrestling
• Yoga

STEM Programs                

• Engineering            
• Coding                    
• Math                    
• Robotics    
• Science
• Technology
• Lego

Fine Arts Programs                

• Choir/Voice                
• Dance                
• Music/Musical Instruments        
• Performing Arts            
• Sculpture/Drawing/Painting        

Academic Enrichment Programs        

• English                
• Math                
• Reading    
• Social Studies/History
• Foreign Language            
• Study Skills            
• Writing
• Critical/Creative Thinking

Outdoor Recreation and Camps            

• Boys & Girls Club Camps
• Leadership Training Programs        
• Boy Scout Camp
• Girl Scout Camp
• YMCA Camp

Technology – request grant to purchase hardware like

• Chromebook
• iPad or other tablet
• Kindle or other e-reader