Campership Alliance Applications Open In January 2026
Every Child Deserves A Camp Story
The Campership Alliance is a community-based collaboration dedicated to providing scholarship opportunities for children and young adults from low-income families in Goleta, Santa Barbara, and Carpinteria. As the lead agency, SBPAL works closely with community partners—including the Santa Barbara Zoo, Parks and Recreation, and other local organizations—to allocate and distribute camp scholarships. These scholarships enable participants to attend ONE weeklong local summer camp, offering them a meaningful and enriching experience they might not otherwise have access to.
Campership Alliance es una colaboración comunitaria dedicada a proporcionar oportunidades de becas para niños y jóvenes de familias de bajos ingresos en Goleta, Santa Bárbara y Carpintería. Como agencia principal, SBPAL trabaja estrechamente con socios comunitarios, incluyendo el Zoológico de Santa Bárbara, el Departamento de Parques y Recreación y otras organizaciones locales, para asignar y distribuir becas de campamento. Estas becas permiten que los participantes asistan a UN campamento de verano local durante una semana, brindándoles una experiencia significativa y enriquecedora que de otro modo no tendrían.
A Message from SBPAL’s Executive Director
Seventeen years ago, I joined PAL to help with Campership Alliance—and since then, I’ve seen just how deeply these camps impact children and families. I’ve heard the stories, seen the joy, and felt the transformation brought to life every summer.
I know how much heart and hard work goes into each camp. Each of our partners brings something special—whether it’s art, science, nature, or culture— creating an incredible mix of opportunities for Santa Barbara youth who might not otherwise be able to attend a camp during summer break.
Thanks to our generous local partners and donations from SBPAL supporters, the Campership Alliance program has given 7,600 children access to camp and awarded over $2.7 million in scholarships over 24 years. That’s something to celebrate!
Here’s to more summers full of growth, laughter, and magic.
2025 CAMPERSHIP ALLIANCE PARTNERS
2025 Agency Of The Year: Santa Barbara Zoo
The Agency of the Year award was created to recognize organizations that go above and beyond for the youth and families we serve—and this year, no one embodies that spirit more than the Santa Barbara Zoo.
Zoo camps are always among the first to fill up, and it’s no surprise why. Parents and kids alike know just how special and unforgettable their camp experiences are. From their exceptional programming to their warm, welcoming staff, the Zoo consistently raises the bar.
They’re the only agency to offer camps for our youngest participants—starting at just 3 years old!
They also provide a hot lunch every day (a huge win for busy families), and if that wasn’t impressive enough, they even offer overnight camps that create memories kids talk about for years. It’s no wonder we have families telling us their kids beg to go to Zoo Camp.
Santa Barbara Zoo, thank you for your dedication, creativity, and heart. Your commitment to making camp magical is felt by every child who walks through your gates.
We are so proud to name you our 2025 Agency of the Year.
Congratulations!
Campership Alliance 2025 Qualifications
Household Size and Income Guidelines
To determine eligibility for full summer camp scholarships, the following household size and income criteria will be used:
Please Note: Households with income at or below the levels shown in the provided chart are eligible for the summer camp scholarship. Receiving a scholarship does not waive the registration fee.
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To qualify for a Campership Alliance summer camp, recipients must meet the gross income criteria and be an enrolled student in a Goleta, Santa Barbara, or Carpinteria school.
Los beneficiarios de las becas de Campership Alliance para campamentos de verano deben cumplir con los criterios de ingresos brutos y residir en Goleta, Santa Bárbara o Carpintería.
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2024 Income Tax Return
2024 W-2
Most recent 2 months' worth of all paystubs in
The household CalFresh Letter (must be active during summer 2025)
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We’ve made it simple for you to apply for a full summer camp scholarship! In early Spring we will host a special Campership Allaince Orientation. To sign up for notifications about this event, click here.
Families that do attend Orientation will get to register for Camps on first. Those who do not attend an orientation session will be asked to join the waitlist.
Step 1: Join our WaitlistFamilies that did not attend an orientation date in February or March will need to fill out this form
Step 2: Complete Application:
Find our online registration portal here. Note: You will need to create a TraxSolutions account to register your child for a camp.
Sign your child/children up for the "Summer Camp- Campership Alliance" Activity.
Every child deserves a camp story
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Every child deserves a camp story •