Caring for Family Leaves Little Play Time

Mandy, 11, has a life full of responsibilities. She spends most of her free time caring for three siblings and mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Though she hardly has time to do things she enjoys, such as swimming or riding her scooter, she rarely complains. At school, she volunteers to help her teachers.

Last year was traumatic for her. She and her siblings were at home when their father tried to kill their mother. Police called to the scene arrived as the children were being taken to the home of a neighbor, and the children were nearby as their father was shot and killed by officers attempting to protect their mom.

The emotional effects on Mandy have been devastating. She often feels isolated, and when she is not with one of her siblings, she spends most of her time alone.

Her mother wants her to go to camp this summer “to experience a sense of belonging and try to heal from the tragedy of the past year.” And thanks to the Girls Scouts-Spanish Trails Council, Mandy will be able to attend the scouts’ Tautona camp. She became interested in scouting after seeing her older sister perform a song with the rest of the scout troop at Quake Stadium in Rancho Cucamonga seven years ago and plans to stay involved through high school.

Through participation in community-based outreach programs and Girl Scout summer resident camps, girls such as Mandy learn decision-making skills, increase self-respect and gain a positive outlook on life. The scouts hope to send anywhere from 35 to 40 girls to camp this summer at a variety of camp sites.

This year the Los Angeles Times Summer Camp Program will donate $5,000 to the Girl Scouts-Spanish Trails Council to send young girls to one of seven camps in the Southern California area.

Each year since 1954, readers and employees of the Los Angeles Times have sent thousands of needy children to camp through The Times Summer Camp Program. This year, the McCormick Tribune Foundation will match the first $1.2 million raised at 50 cents on the dollar.

It costs an average of $150 for a child to spend a week at summer camp. Checks should be sent to: L.A. Times Summer Camp Campaign, File No. 53401, Los Angeles, CA 90074-3401. Credit card payments can also be made by calling (213) 237-5771. Please do not send cash. All donations are tax-deductible.

It is the policy of the Los Angeles Times and the camp program to maintain and promote a culture of nondiscrimination and inclusiveness.