Sgt. Joel A. House Summer Camp

Welcome to Summer Camp!

Applications for Summer 2010 are due May 30.

These pages are dedicated to the memory of our Hero, Sgt. Joel A. House, who was killed in 2007 while serving in the U.S. Army by a roadside bomb in Taji, Iraq. Joel was known for his guitar playing, his understated sense of humor, and his fierce commitment to his family and friends. We--his family and friends--miss him so much but we are so proud of him. This scholarship program is our way of honoring Joel's life and his ultimate sacrifice.

Throughout this website you can find information about the scholarship established in Joel''s name to help boys and girls attend a summer camp program of their choice. You can download a scholarship application here or find out about some great summer camps which are excited to meet you. We are always doing fund-raising, so you can find out how you can get involved with this program to help children reach their dreams. You can also find out about Joel's life in Lee, Maine and in the U.S. Army. Please enjoy and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

How does the scholarship program work?

The idea simple: Let children and their families choose what kind of summer camp program would benefit them the most and our scholarship program will help ease the financial burden and make attending a reality.

Through a growing grassroots effort, individuals, businesses, churches, civic groups, and clubs raise money to help fund applicant's needs. In 2008, our first year, together we helped send 33 kids to a dozen different summer camps. This year, we are anticipating more applications and are gearing up to meet that need.
Families with school-aged children research and decide which summer camp they want to attend, then apply to that camp and our scholarship program. We suggest getting in your application as early as possible, but July 1 is the deadline.
Groups who want to get involved can do any kind of fund-raising that makes sense: bake sales, yard sales, pledge drives. Last year, Joel's family and friends ran a "Super Raffle" which included over 50 prizes donated by area businesses. In addition, we worked with Wreaths Across America to help place Christmas wreaths on Maine veterans graves. This summer, 2009, we are continuing with the "Super Raffle". You should contact us as soon as possible if you want to set up a table at a grocery or department store in your town to sell tickets.

Thank you for visiting and please keep our soldiers and veterans in your prayers.