Young Perkins Patrons Help Camden Kids Pay for Summer Camp

Two young patrons of stepped up this year to give their less-advantaged peers an opportunity to enjoy the arts center’s summer camp program.

Each year, Perkins pays for dozens of Camden kids to attend its Summer Arts Camp. The organization funds the “Camp Hero Fund,” as it’s known, through donations from corporations, foundations and individuals, said assistant director Diane Felcyn. But this year, Perkins got assists from two unlikely sources: 11-year-old Skylar Ray Noyes and 7-year-old Elizabeth Maguire.

With money she raised through her lemonade stand, helping out with chores around the house and serving food at her grandmother’s house party, Skylar made a $400 contribution to Camp Hero—enough to pay for one Camden child to attend summer camp. 

After watching a Diane Sawyer documentary about poverty in Camden, Skylar said she was inspired to help, in whatever way she could.

“I felt so bad for the kids cause they have to stay inside all day while their parents are at work,” she said. “I really wanted to help them.”

Skylar’s mother, Noel Noyes, said her daughter has had a charitable spirit for some time, volunteering to sort clothes at St. Vincent de Paul in Berlin and helping to organize an American Girl Doll fashion show to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House.

“I was proud of her that she’s doing this,” said Noyes, adding that Skylar is in the process of setting up a foundation, “Skye’s the Limit,” so she can continue to raise money for Perkins and other causes. “I think Skylar is proud of herself too.”

Elizabeth Maguire has made a tradition of selecting a charity to help each year on her birthday, and this year asked everyone who attended her party to bring donations to Camp Hero in lieu of giving her a gift. She was able to raise $175 this way, according to a Perkins release.

Elizabeth’s and Skylar’s donations were even more welcome this year, after one of Perkins’ corporate sponsors cut its contribution to Camp Hero, forcing the arts center to reduce the number of scholarship recipients by half.

“We were really heartbroken we weren’t able to serve as many children this year,” Felcyn said. “It was a really hard decision for us,” which is why the girls’ donations were so encouraging.

“When we started this Camp Hero program, we never envisioned the kids who are participating in the programs would be the ones to help,” she said. “I find that so moving and so important in growing up to be a responsible human being.”

For more information about Perkins Center for the Arts, visit their website. Click here to make a donation.