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Council committee approves $147,000 to help keep Carver summer camps affordable
Summary
The Norwalk Community Service Committee authorized Mayor Barbara C. Smith to execute agreements providing $147,000 to the Carver Foundation to subsidize two affordable summer enrichment camps that serve roughly 150 students each; council members praised the program’s educational focus and warned funding cuts could force reductions.
The Community Service Committee on March 25 voted to authorize Mayor Barbara C. Smith to execute agreements with the Carver Foundation to provide $147,000 in financial assistance for two affordable summer enrichment camps in Norwalk.
Navallet, who spoke for the Carver Foundation, told the committee the two camps — one at Carver and one serving South Norwalk families — each accommodate about 150 students and include dedicated literacy and math teachers, weekly field trips and swimming. “The price for the camp, the highest a family would pay, $700 for six weeks,” she said, describing a sliding-fee scale intended to keep the program affordable.
Why it matters: Committee members described the camps as a key resource for working families and for students at risk of summer learning loss. Council members and panelists noted the program has a long history in the city (Navallet said she’s run Carver’s program for 21 years) and that the camps rely on a mix of fees and philanthropic fundraising in addition to city support.
Program details and funding: Navallet said the program’s operating budgets are approximately $193,558 for the Carver site and $192,933 for the South Norwalk/Sono site; the $147,000 allocation is divided between the two sites with roughly $80,000 to one and the remainder to the other to offset costs. She said the foundation raises additional private funding and has used past city support to leverage philanthropic gifts.
Council concerns and context: Several council members thanked Navallet for the program and pressed for detail on cost pressures. Navallet said transportation fees, insurance and other costs have risen and that prior city funding was cut by 25% last year. “If the city wants us to continue to provide an affordable option then the city has to help us with that,” she said, warning that further reductions could force the foundation to reconsider operating both camps.
Vote and next steps: The committee approved the authorization by voice/hand vote; members characterized the action as carried unanimously. The measure authorizes the mayor to sign agreements and related amendments; contract dates in backup materials will be corrected as needed before execution.
