give the gift of...
The Open Books Foundation is dedicated to helping as large and as diverse a group of students as possible gain access to rigorous summer learning opportunities. Along the way, we impact students, families, and the schools that work with our partner programs to provide opportunities to deserving young learners. A gift to Open Books is about more than summer camp. Your gift is the gift of a life-changing experience.
...achievement.
“Living on a college campus and seeing what I can accomplish there would make my dream of going to college seem more concrete coming from a community that does not have high academic standards…I want to be seen as a role model and scholar, not only to those I will meet at Amherst College, but to other students in North Chicago, Illinois that do not believe that a higher education is possible.”
– Scholarship recipient, North Chicago, IL
"My summer experience inspired me and encouraged me to continue on the path of challenging myself. I currently take A.P. English Literature at my school and find myself captivated by the advanced texts we read, and I am strongly considering studying literature in college."
– Scholarship recipient, Pope Valley, CA
...community.
"I've been in touch with the people I met last year, and a lot of them became really good friends, even though many of them live across the world from me. I loved meeting the international students and discovering I had more in common with them than most people in my own school"
– Scholarship recipient, Sausalito, CA
"This program is where I finally found my clan. I met new people and made friendships that will last a lifetime."
– Scholarship recipient, Woodacre, CA
"I had the opportunity to build relationships with kids like me from different countries and cultures, and we still talk every day."
– Scholarship recipient, Boston, MA
...Confidence.
"I felt comfortable and mentally challenged speaking with a group of peers that have helped me argue my beliefs convincingly...Having discussions with the staff about the readings helped me to fine tune my critical reading skills."
– Scholarship recipient, Boston, MA
"This summer I realized that reaching out to people is the best way to showcase my opinions, voice and leadership. If I had not discovered this realization, I would not be currently taking on a leadership role in my high school."
– Scholarship recipient, New Haven, CT
“I cannot thank you guys enough for strengthening my public speaking skills. Here at the program we learned to be open to other people that we do not know and also how to step outside our comfort zone. Now I am not embarrassed to speak to people that I have never seen before. That is a skill that I know will come in handy when I graduate high school and attend college."
– Scholarship recipient, San Jose, CA
“Thank you for the BEST SUMMER EXPERIENCE EVER! Please continue to do what you do. It is an amazing opportunity for kids everywhere and I am so grateful I was able to be a part of it.””