Creating Summer Adventures for Every Child

For many children, summer camp is filled with exciting adventures, new friendships, and memories that last a lifetime. But for families facing financial challenges, experiences like field trips and special outings can often be out of reach.

That's where Waypoint's KidsPoint Summer Camp and a Variety grant made all the difference.

Waypoint's mission is to inspire people to move forward, serving nearly 15,000 individuals each year through housing, domestic violence and homicide survivor services, and high-quality child care. As one of the area's largest child care providers, KidsPoint offers educational programming for more than 200 children each day, creating opportunities for children to learn, grow, and thrive.

Thanks to a Variety grant, children receiving financial assistance through the State of Iowa or Waypoint's Child Care Tuition Scholarship Program were able to participate in a full summer of enriching field trips. From weekly pool visits and exploring Iowa Fossil Park to cheering on the Cedar Rapids Kernels and spending the day at Lost Island Water Park, these experiences encouraged learning, physical activity, and confidence while ensuring every child could participate alongside their peers.

One of those children was Brent, age 10, who spent the summer building his swimming skills during weekly pool outings. With two of his teachers nearby, Brent gained confidence in the water while developing valuable water safety skills. Each visit encouraged perseverance and gave him the confidence to keep trying new things.

For Keean, also age 10, a day at the water park became an opportunity to strengthen his coordination, independence, and self-confidence. Racing down water slides and enjoying active play with friends, Keean experienced the joy of simply being a kid while developing skills that will benefit him long after summer ends.

Because of Variety's support, children at KidsPoint didn't just enjoy unforgettable summer adventures - they built confidence, developed lifelong skills, and created memories that every child deserves.