Sherwood Forest is a year-round youth development organization with its programs anchored in a residential summer camp experience. Our vision where all youth discover and achieve their fullest potential guides our mission: providing dynamic programs and immersive outdoor experiences that inspire and empower youth from under-resourced communities to discover their resilience, prepare for their future, and embrace their civic responsibility. By balancing traditional camp adventures with evidence-based programs that reinforce and support school-year learning, Sherwood Forest connects with, educates, and inspires the youth of St. Louis. And in doing so, we help kids discover the best in themselves so they can grow up to do good in the world.
MISSION: Sherwood Forest provides dynamic programs and immersive outdoor experiences that inspire and empower youth from under-resourced communities to discover their resilience, prepare for their future, and embrace their civic responsibility.
VISION: Envisioning a community where all youth discover and achieve their fullest potential.
OUR PROMISE: To help children discover the best in themselves so they can grow up to do good in the world.
Key Contacts:
Addie Bond
Executive Director
(314) 644-3322
AddieB @ SherwoodForestSTL.org
Angela Fulbright
Media Contact
(314) 644-3322
AngelaF @ SherwoodForestSTL.org
Download our Media Fact Sheet:
B-Roll footage: https://youtu.be/rpMl6OKzuGk
Who attends Sherwood Forest?
Sherwood Forest serves children in the St. Louis area who are most at risk: low-income and economically disadvantaged youth. 79% of our kids qualify for free or reduced lunch programs, and another 8% hover just above this threshold. Our youth are diverse: 66% African American, 21% White, 8% multi-racial, 1% Latino; 49% male/51% female. 50% of our kids live in areas with crime rates above the national average: 32% in areas where the crime doubles that rate; and 18% in areas where the crime rate is five or more times as high.
How much does it cost to attend Sherwood Forest?
Because the program begins after first grade and continues through ninth, participating children grow up with Sherwood Forest and have their learning and development continuously reinforced. Quest is designed to provide enrichment opportunities for youth who might not otherwise be able to afford them, so our families pay only $75 or less for the entire summer session. The true cost of our programming each year is $9,000 per child and is made possible by our generous donors and community members.
Organization Background:
Sherwood Forest began in 1937 at Cuivre River State Park with only a volunteer staff and $2,000 for food. That year Sherwood Forest provided camp experiences for 600 underprivileged children. Sherwood Forest continued to operate camp programs in Cuivre River State Park until 1978, when it was clear our camp needed its own space. The Board of Directors authorized the purchase of the vacant 478 acre Wiggins Ozark Camp near Lesterville, Reynolds County, MO for $500,000, and Sherwood Forest had a permanent home.
Today, Sherwood Forest is a year-round youth development organization dedicated to using research-based methods, innovative practices and the unique opportunities offered by the natural environment to give children from low-income families the foundation needed to break the cycle multi-generational poverty. Our years-long, multi-faceted programs build the personal characteristics and habits that kids need to achieve the one factor that most determines their future: sustained academic success.
Sherwood Forest is recognized as a leader in youth development, nonprofit management, and camps. Our honors and accomplishments include:
- 2022 American Camp Association’s Eleanor P Eells Award for Research and Evaluation in Practice
- 2015, 2014, & 2008 Stellar Performance Award from Variety, The Children’s Charity of St. Louis
- 2014 American Camp Association’s Eleanor P. Eells Award for Excellence in Research in Practice
- 2007 FOCUS St. Louis “What’s Right With the Region” Honoree for Improving Racial Equity and Social Justice
- 2006 American Camp Association’s Eleanor P. Eells Award for Program Excellence
- Accredited by the American Camp Association
- Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity
- Charity Navigator Four Star Charity
- GuideStar Gold Exchange Participant
- Completed a $7.2 million Way More Than Camp Capital The funds raised expanded and improved campsite facilities with outdoor learning environments, STEM programming areas, a new library, an additional residential village, dining hall and other features.
Programmatically, we are proud that:
- 100% of our Quest Leaderships graduates go on to graduate high school.
- 95% of program alumni report back that they are no longer living in poverty.
- In 2021, we hired our first BIPOC Camp Director (there have only been 8 camp directors in 87 years of operation)
Sherwood Forest offers three distinct programs:
- Quest Program — This program begins for kids after completing the first grade and continues through the completion of ninth grade. These youth participate in extended residential summer camp experiences and in year-round programming during the school year. Kids in the program develop the soft skills necessary to achieve success later in life: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. (Mastery Orientation, Self-Management, Contribution, Positive Identity, Academic Self-Efficacy, Social Skills.)
- Supports for Success – This program serves Quest Program alumni as they navigate their journey to higher education, employment, and success as an adult. Dedicated staff help youth learn how to become economically self-sufficient by building job-readiness and financial literacy skills and guide the teens through post-secondary education or training.
- Outdoor Education — An experiential program for schools, school districts, youth groups, and youth organizations, Outdoor Education offers hands-on learning activities focused on STEM and character development in our rustic, outdoor setting. Sessions are three to five days long and fully customizable.
Key Personnel Bios:
Addie Bond, Executive Director.
Addie holds undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Elementary Education from Arizona State University. Prior to joining Sherwood Forest in 2004, she worked at Camp Kamaji for Girls as the Assistant Director. During her tenure at Sherwood Forest, Addie has performed a variety of roles including Registrar and Director of Operations
Addie Bond has worked in the camping industry for over 20 years in a variety of roles. She currently serves as Executive Director at Sherwood Forest where she oversees strategic planning and implementation, program activities and fund development. Each year Sherwood Forest raises over $750,000 in grants and another $1M though individual and corporate gifts. Addie holds undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Elementary Education from Arizona State University.
Alexis Newsome, Quest Program Manager and Camp Director
Alexis Newsome is the Quest Program Manager and Camp Director. Alexis is a second generation Sherwood Forest Alumni and Leadership graduate (2001). As the current Camp Director, she has been part of the Sherwood Forest family since the age of two. Alexis has worked as a seasonal staff member, volunteer and most recently a board member. Alexis earned her BA from the University of Central Missouri in Public Relations and Tourism and continued on to gain her MA at Webster University. There she studied International Relations, EMP in Human Rights and Humanities.
Social Media Handles
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sherwoodforestcamp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sherwoodforeststl/
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sherwoodforeststl
Website: www.sherwoodforeststl.org
Upcoming Events:
23rd Annual Blue Jean Ball:
The Blue Jean Ball is Sherwood Forest’s signature annual event where we share our work and impact with the St. Louis community and raise funds to support our campers.
April 6th @6pm
Third Degree Glass Factory
5200 Delmar Blvd.
St Louis, MO 63108
Eclipse Escape Event at Sherwood Forest:
Sherwood Forest proudly presents the 2024 Eclipse Escape – an immersive camp experience finishing with a Total Solar Eclipse over our campsite!
Join us from April 5th-9th in Lesterville, Missouri, as we open our cabins for you to experience the magic of the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024.