Some of the city's best-known leaders have set aside time this summer to enjoy storybooks.

Thirteen-year-old Breondra Newman isn't exactly sure of the moment this week when bugs became entertainment – rather than something to shriek about – at Girl Scout camp here in the mountains of Rutherford County, 80 miles west of Charlotte.

Donors help Destiny hear the best of summer at Camp Spencer.

Kaela Lepley-Starr knows how important it is to get a camp scholarship – she has received help herself to attend Girl Scout camp twice.

Fifth-grader Cody Ronan loves reading about adventure. But he was a little nervous at first to learn he'd have adventures of his own this summer at Camp Thunderbird on Lake Wylie.

Gwendolyn Moore breathes a sigh of relief whenever the YMCA bus picks up her son, John January, for a Wednesday evening program.

Summer camp can be daring, memorable, life-changing – for those who can afford to go.

How you can help
Summer Camp Fund donations go to camp scholarships for children from low-income families. Full details.

Search our database of information on more than 800 summer camps in the Charlotte region.