The forward-thinking philosophy and inspired generosity of one individual is changing the lives of many. Throughout his life, the Reverend Solomon Graydon Cramer could see that the ministry happening at United Methodist summer camps across the country was preparing the church’s young leaders for lives of impact through discipleship. As a testament to his belief in the power of camp, Rev. Cramer built up his legacy by endowing a portion of his will to ensure future generations of young people could benefit from the camp experience. Since 2017, the Solomon Cramer Fund has been sending more young people to camp by granting scholarship funds to deserving conference camp programs. In those three years, United Methodist camps have received well over $50K in scholarship grants for young people participating in a variety of innovative programs that reach beyond the traditional ways of doing camp. 

Scholarship grants from the Solomon Cramer Fund encourage us to consider the breadth of our ministries by focusing on four priorities:

1. Experiences that minister with youth living in poverty
2. The intentional development of young people for spiritual leadership and/or leadership with Camp & Retreat Ministries
3. Camp experiences that collaborate with local churches and agencies in processes of faith formation
4. Providing opportunities for diversity within ministry participation and leadership

Special consideration is given to Camp & Retreat Ministries that focus on more than one of the priorities and that are launching new programs/opportunities. 

The 2019 Solomon Cramer Fund grant recipients were: Camp Don Lee, Camp Chestnut Ridge, Camp Wrightwood, Jumonville, Loucon & Aldersgate Camps, York City Day Camp/Susquehanna Conference, and Uskichitto Retreat Center.

These grant recipients exemplified the legacy of Rev. Cramer in the programs and projects supported by the Fund. Here are a few highlights from the 2019 recipients:

• Camp Loucon and Aldersgate Camp (KY) used their grant to provide an additional 20 young people with the experience of camp through their mission site partners including The Foundry, Grace Kids, Ida Spence Mission, and the Redbird Missionary Conference.  

• Camp Don Lee (NC)  brought together their Leadership In Training youth with local UM churches and AME Zion churches to offer a traveling day camp program that “provides a safe place for children to experience God and God’s creation.” 175 children were reached through the program.

• Jumonville (PA) fully funded an additional 10 participants in their HOPE Camp program, bringing foster children and those with an incarcerated parent into “a safe environment to be encouraged, loved, and challenged to grow in their spiritual, social, and personal lives.” 

• The Lead From YOUR Strength program at Camp Wrightwood (CA) brought together young people from various racial and ethnic backgrounds for an intentional time of discernment, self-awareness, and leadership development.

The March 15th application deadline for the 2020 round of Solomon Cramer Grants is quickly approaching. This is an incredible opportunity for your ministry to provide a camp experience for young people regardless of their ability to pay. A Solomon Cramer Grant could be the pathway for a young person to learn of God's love for them, hear their call into ministry, or grow in leadership at your site this summer. The partnerships and projects you try this year might open new doors for service and collaboration in your Conference and community. Imagine something new. Apply today!