A summer camp in New York state provides a fully accessible camping experience for children and adults with paralysis and other physical challenges, giving them a place where they do not have to worry about wheelchairs or medications.
The camp features an array of amenities, from a climbing wall, splash pad, archery, boating, and fishing, to mini golf, swimming, arts and crafts, music, nature trails, and a zip line. Owned and operated by a nonprofit with limited resources, the camp faces the ongoing challenge of trying to raise awareness. In addition, the camp is sometimes confused with other well-publicized summer camps.
To further enhance the camping experience for kids and to differentiate from other camps, the nonprofit launched plans to construct an exciting addition to the camp – a fully accessible treehouse.
Cook Communications developed a news release to announce the project, with the goals of helping raise awareness of the camp and kicking off a fundraising campaign. The release highlighted the fact that the treehouse was the only one of its kind in the region and that it would give children with disabilities an experience they never had before – the independence and joy of climbing a tree. Target audiences included potential donors, parents of campers and potential campers, and campers.
The news release generated tremendous news coverage, including stories on all TV outlets and news radio stations, and in the daily, weekly, and business newspapers. The greatest result, though, was a $50,000 contribution to the project the day after issuing the release. This news release not only helped launch the fundraising campaign for the project, it also went a long way toward better differentiating the camp in its community.
Have a project or a nonprofit organization that needs some publicity? Contact Cook Communications today.