A JOURNEY CONTINUED: CAMP HIAWATHA AND CAMP ROBIN HOOD ALUM GIVES BACK TO CHANGE SUMMER

David Solomon and Richard "Woody" Woodstein, co-owners of Camp Robin Hood, have purchased their former sister camp, Hiawatha, returning a property to the family that still bears "Andy Says" engravings on its cement entrances. It has long been their shared dream to fill these historic grounds with children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the magic of summer camp.

In a historic milestone, AF Camp (Achievement First)—one of Change Summer's five camps—is transitioning from university campuses to the authentic outdoors of Camp Hiawatha. To celebrate this first summer in the woods, we are inviting the Hiawatha and Robin Hood community to give back.

Our Impact Goals:

This Summer: Providing the gift of camp to 600 children.
Next Summer: Reaching a goal of 1,000 scholars.

By partnering with Change Summer, we are ensuring that the Hiawatha legacy continues through a new generation of leaders. Join us in making this historic transition possible.

CHANGE SUMMER

Change Summer was founded in 2018 to bring the power of summer camp to students from under-resourced communities. Today, Change Summer operates six camps — five overnight and one day camp — where young people build confidence, curiosity, independence, and responsibility through immersive summer experiences.

Change Summer partners with high-performing charter school management organizations such as New York's Achievement First, Coney Island Prep, DREAM, KIPP, and Uncommon Schools to create high-quality, customized summer opportunities for their elementary and middle school students.

AF CAMP

AF Camp is a premier sleep-away summer program operating under the Change Summer umbrella, specifically designed to serve the students of the Achievement First public charter school network. Grounded in the belief that an elite summer experience is an essential right, not a luxury, the camp provides an equitable opportunity for children to develop critical life skills outside the classroom.

THE EVOLUTION OF AF CAMP

After successfully operating out of The College of New Jersey, AF Camp is entering a milestone year. In 2025, the program celebrated a record-breaking summer with over 600+ campers enrolled. Building on this momentum, AF Camp is officially relocating to its new permanent home: Camp Hiawatha. This move to a dedicated, official campsite marks a new chapter in providing a traditional, immersive outdoor experience for the Achievement First community.

CORE PROGRAM OFFERINGS

Designed for campers entering grades 4–9, the program balances rigorous fun with personal development. The curriculum spans several specialized domains:

Outdoor Adventure & Athletics: Traditional sports and nature-based exploration to build physical confidence and teamwork.
Arts & STEM: Creative expression and hands-on science and technology projects to spark curiosity.
Waterfront Activities: Comprehensive swimming programs and water-based fun.
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Integrated activities designed to foster independence, responsibility, and long-lasting friendships in a safe, supportive environment.

LEARN MORE

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@AF_CAMP

GIVING BACK...THE GIFT OF CAMP

By Change Summer

GIVING BACK...THE GIFT OF CAMP

A JOURNEY CONTINUED: CAMP HIAWATHA AND CAMP ROBIN HOOD ALUM GIVES BACK TO CHANGE SUMMER