Camps For Kids was founded by Marjorie Powell Allen and several other community leaders in 1980 when the federal government withdrew assistance for youth development in summer programming. Camps For Kids works to assure that no Kansas City area child is denied the wonders of summer camp due to disability or income. For 30 years, Camps For Kids has given financial support to more than 50,000 campers who otherwise would have been unable to benefit from summer camp. Presently there are more than 20 accredited camps in the Camps for Kids network. The Camps For Kids Steering Committee raises funds from area public and private philanthropies to establish a ppool of matching dollars. The Steering Committee screens and selects appllications from summer programs serving Kansas City youth. Each camp provides a "wish list" of items needed for a successful summer season: Camperships (scholarships), sleeping bags, sports equipment, program supplies, etc. Working with its network of participating camps, Camps For Kids offers an incentive to the general public for its support of these camps. Donations designated to specific programs at $1,500 or less, are matched 1:1 as long as the matching pool lasts. The matching ceases when the matching pool is exhausted; when a specific camp's campaign goal is reached, or when the annual campaign (April 1 through July 31) ends.