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Baltimore Co. Looks For Donors To Help Youth Campers

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Baltimore County is seeking donors to help enroll 165 underprivileged youth in a camping program and officials say donations are down because of the economy.

The Baltimore Sun reports that the Campership Project relies solely on donations. Last summer the project raised $33,000 to send 117 school-age children to day and overnight camps that provide outdoors experiences such as swimming and horseback riding.

Officials say they will be unable to accomplish a plan to enroll about 50 more campers this summer without more donations. They've raised $26,000 so far this year.

Deborah Ward, the director of volunteer services for the county Department of Social Services, says the camping experience can be a bright spot for children who cope with poverty, abuse, the loss of a parent and special needs.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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