When Uncommon Schools graduates began sharing their stories about the challenges they faced during college, it was clear that something had to change, and it wasn’t academics. Students were struggling with things like time management, independence, and belonging—all of which require social and emotional skills that are often developed outside of the classroom. It was time to change summer.

Camp Uncommon was created to provide students from under-resourced communities with an exciting summer experience filled with joy and opportunities to develop critical skills that help them prepare for the challenges of high school, college, and beyond. Today, Change Summer continues to partner with Uncommon Schools and over 20 other leading school organizations to operate enriching overnight summer camps, which collectively served more than 2,500 campers in 2023.

The journey from camp to campus doesn’t end there. Many Change Summer campers return to camp as counselors. Campers-turned-counselors, like Camp Uncommon’s Kemoya Henry (University at Albany Class of 2026), continue to strengthen their non-cognitive skills while becoming leaders.

They also learn the importance of teamwork and building strong interpersonal relationships, which AF Camp’s James McGregor (Brooklyn College Class of 2023) tells us has been invaluable throughout his college pursuits.

Your support helps us change summer to change futures. Join us in nurturing more leaders, innovators, and collaborators through equitable summer enrichment opportunities for all.

Change Summer is the largest overnight camp organization in the country serving young people from under-resourced communities, and we will continue to grow each year as we meet the overwhelming demand for accessible summer programs. By 2026, we're poised to operate 10 camps with ~750 counselors and ~7,500 campers, and by 2031, we aspire to serve an incredible 20,000 campers across 20 camps. Support Change Summer with a donation today to help us turn more campfires into beacons of collegiate success.

Embrace the Change. Empower a Camper. Enlighten a Future.

From Camp Through College

By Change Summer

From Camp Through College

Empowering young people through enriching summer experiences filled with joy and opportunities.