AileyCamp
In 1989, with assistance from the Gannett Foundation, KCFAA introduced an innovative six-week summer program for middle school students in the Kansas City, Missouri School District. AileyCamp was designed to reach “at-risk” youth, using dance to develop their self-esteem, self-discipline, critical thinking skills and to foster creativity.
KCFAA's Board and staff, with the AileyCamp Committee, embarked upon planning for the expansion of AileyCamp into the neighboring Kansas City, Kansas School District in 1999. After meetings with USD500 School District officials, and the secured commitment of a $60,000 grant from The Oppenstein Bros. Foundation, KCFAA announced the plans to open a one-week pilot camp in the summer of 2000. That summer over 40 campers from USD500 attended the 4-week camp that was held at J.C. Harmon High School. Many other corporate, foundation, community, and individual donors came on board or increased their gifts to AileyCamp Missouri to sustain AileyCamp in Kansas City, Kansas. Each year, awareness of AileyCamp Kansas grows and more students apply for the program. This year 80 students are expected to participate.
Among other awards and honors, in 2003, AileyCamp received the prestigious Coming Up Taller Award from the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities and three federal agencies. The Coming Up Taller Award honors organizations for outstanding work with underserved youth.