Camp Ta Kum Ta – Scholarships
Camp Ta-Kum-Ta offers two scholarships, The Founders’ Scholarship and The Barb Burg Schieffelin Memorial Scholarship. These scholarships are part of Camp Ta-Kum-Ta’s support to young adult cancer patients. Please note that past participation in a camp-based program is mandatory and applications must be postmarked or emailed to our office by April 21, 2023
The Camp Ta-Kum-Ta Founders’ Scholarship
In Honor of Sheara Billado and Ted & Debby Kessler
The Camp Ta-Kum-Ta Founders’ Scholarship was founded in 2014 in honor of Sheara Billado and Ted & Debby Kessler. The Camp Ta-Kum-Ta Board of Directors established this scholarship in honor of their service to Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, and was established at our 30th Anniversary Celebration in May of 2014. They are the original founders of Camp Ta-Kum-Ta that began in 1984. This scholarship will be awarded to one graduating high school senior. The recipient will receive $1,000 total for their first year of college.
The Camp Ta-Kum-Ta Founders’ Scholarship was established to support young adult cancer survivors and to assist them in pursuing their academic and professional goals. The scholarship is designed to ease the financial burden of obtaining an education from an accredited university, community college, vocational or technical school. Camp Ta-Kum-Ta is accepting applications from individuals who meet the criteria, demonstrate financial need, and show academic and personal potential.
The goal of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance to a student attending a college, university, or technical school. The candidate must have, or have had, childhood cancer, he/she must have attended a Camp Ta-Kum-Ta program, and he/she must be accepted into, or enrolled and progressing satisfactorily in, a college or university.
Scholarship payments are sent directly to the educational institutions on your behalf. Scholarships will be sent in two equal installments and will be mailed directly to the recipient’s school in August and December (unless otherwise requested by recipient). Students not enrolled during the current year cannot carryover funding for subsequent semesters. Scholarships are intended to cover tuition and school fees only.
If you are awarded the scholarship, we will also ask you to complete a brief progress report in December and in June. The scholarship committee appreciates your hard work and wants to celebrate your progress.
Scholarship Requirements* Scholarship Amount: $1000
Applicant or nominee must:
· Be a full time (minimum 12 credit hours per semester) student at an accredited university, community college, vocational or technical school
· Have or have had cancer and attended a Camp Ta-Kum-Ta program
· Demonstrate financial need
· Be a citizen of the United States
· Complete a Founders’ Scholarship Application which includes a personal essay expressing their personal goals and insights **
· Be accompanied by two letters of recommendation
* Others will be considered if no one applies within these parameters
** Final Applications will be reviewed and approved by Camp Ta-Kum-Ta’s Board Executive Committee
View Application: Founders Scholarship
The Barb Burg Schieffelin Memorial Scholarship
Camp Ta-Kum-Ta’s Barb Burg Schieffelin Memorial Scholarship was created to honor and perpetuate the life-affirming spirit of Barbara Burg Schieffelin as reflected in the mission of Camp Ta-Kum-Ta.
As the only girl growing up with four brothers, Barb developed a strong and commanding voice. For more than two decades she was a public relations leader, working first in publishing and then as Global Head of Communications for Thompson Reuters.
Barb’s accomplishments in her field are extraordinary. She worked with rock stars and presidents. But those who knew Barb best celebrate her immense generosity and indomitable spirit. Even during her illness and last days, Barb continued to love life and live it to the fullest.
Like Barb, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta celebrates life. Each year Camp offers a packed and fun-filled week of experiences to kids who have or have had cancer. Along with traditional camp activities, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta offers once-in-a-lifetime opportunities such as rock climbing expeditions, hot-air balloon rides, formal dances, and lake cruises. Throughout the year, get-together and get-away weekends are offered to campers, their siblings and their parents. These weekends keep the spirit of Camp Ta-Kum-Ta alive all year long.
With Barb’s unending support, her brother Marc and his and wife Ann, have helped create the magic at Camp Ta-Kum-Ta through their volunteer efforts since 1987. With loving consideration for Marc and Ann, this scholarship was created to support the educational aspirations of Camp Ta-Kum-Ta’s campers.
This Scholarship will be awarded to a qualifying individual who displays a positive, determined and life-affirming outlook despite obstacles and difficulties. This award will be given to a student who is or will be attending college and plans to pursue a career that best exemplifies the positive attributes of Barb Burg Schieffelin.
Scholarship Requirements Scholarship Amount: $1000
Applicant or nominee must:
· Be attending a post-high school institution for higher learning
· Demonstrate a positive outlook despite illness or life-altering experience
· Demonstrate an aptitude or interest in pursuing a degree in public relations, communications, or media studies *
· Have attended a Camp Ta-Kum-Ta Program
· Complete a BBS Memorial Scholarship Application which includes a personal essay expressing their personal goals and insights **
· Be accompanied by two letters of recommendation
* Others will be considered if no one applies within these parameters
** Final Applications will be reviewed and approved by Burg family for Scholarship Recipient
View Application: Barb Burg Schieffelin