The Daycroft School Foundation serves young people by supporting educational and other spiritually enriching activities in an environment that embraces the teachings of Christian Science, encourages individual unfoldment, and promotes community responsibility.

The Foundation makes grants to non-profit organizations that are dedicated to educating young people in accordance with the teachings of Christian Science. There are many fine programs serving young people and we are acquainted with virtually all of them. Our giving is focused on the same age group that Daycroft School served (pre-school through high school). Past grants include:

• Campership funds to the six summer camps for Christian Scientists, helping hundreds of children attend camp.
• Scholarship funds for Principia (St. Louis campus). These funds have gone to students in our Daycroft family and to recognize high academic achievement.
• Funds to support the growing activities of DiscoveryBound, including the National Teen Leadership Conferences.
• Grants to support teacher enrichment activities and curriculum development at schools with a Christian Science foundation.
• The establishment of "The Daycroft Library" at Longyear Museum.

Daycroft also conducts some of its own programs, including the highly successful international conferences for schools with a Christian Science foundation. The first of these conferences was held in Detroit in 2001; the most recent was in Los Angeles in 2003. These conferences have allowed Heads of School, other administrators, and trustees to learn from each other, discuss issues of common interest, and broaden their vision of the role of Christian Science in education. As one participant wrote: "The sharing of ideas on how to deepen the influence of spirituality in education was very valuable to usWe came away renewed and refreshed."

DAYCROFT'S HISTORY

The Daycroft School was founded in 1929 by Sara Pyle Smart, who saw a need for a nursery school for children growing up in Christian Science families. Her desire was to provide an educational environment that would nurture true individuality and the unfoldment of spiritual sense. Beginning with four students, the school grew quickly. By 1935, it had purchased a large piece of property in Stamford, Connecticut, and had begun to take boarding students. The first senior class graduated in 1940. Daycroft moved to a new campus in Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1963. In 1971, it moved once again to a larger campus nearby. For the next twenty years Daycroft continued to educate and nurture young Christian Scientists in a family-like atmosphere. This family feeling was one of the hallmarks of a Daycroft education, and the Foundation still tries to maintain close ties with "the Daycroft family."

In 1991 Daycroft stopped operating the school and sold its campus, but immediately began making scholarship grants. In 1993, the Trustees changed the name of the corporation to The Daycroft School Foundation, with the intent of continuing to serve young Christian Scientists. Since that time, the Foundation has been actively supporting Christian Science organizations that educate, encourage, and nurture young people.

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Every year Daycroft receives reports of gratitude and growth from young people. Here are a few of their comments.

From Campers:

"I found that coming to camp has brought out what has been hiding inside me for 14 years. I am more responsible and enjoy life so much more than I ever used to."

"Thank you so much. I had a great time at camp! I learned so much about Christian Science in a really fun way."

"It wouldn't have been possible for me to have come here without your help. The challenges I experienced here taught me to trust God for even the smallest and largest things. Coming to camp affected my life even before I came here, teaching me to save my money for a purpose like putting it toward camp, and I know my experience here will affect my life when I return home."

From a Student:

"My family and I are so grateful for this scholarship. I work my hardest every day and study diligently, and I am so grateful for this recognition of my efforts. At school, I am given the opportunity to strive to be a person of strong character. In the past two years, I have learned so much as a student and have grown tremendously as a person."

From a Teen with DiscoveryBound:

"Lately I have been drawing away from spirituality, but this weekend around all these Christian Scientists has helped me to become closer to Christian Science."

WHAT CAN OTHERS DO TO HELP?

Although Daycroft has not pursued active fund-raising since 1991, we welcome and gratefully accept contributions in support of our work. Our goal is to support the spiritual growth of as many young people as we can. Legacies have provided important resources in this work. If you have questions about making a gift to Daycroft, please feel free to contact our office. In addition, we are always interested in hearing about fresh, effective ways to serve young people and bring the truths of Christian Science to education.

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This month's feature:

The Daycroft School Foundation, Inc.

To find out more about The Daycroft School Foundation, Inc.:

E-Mail:
inbox@daycroftschool.org

Phone:
(203) 321-2188

Fax:
(203) 321-2119

Address:
1177 High Ridge Road
Stamford, CT 06905

www.daycroftschool.org