Submitted by Assistance League of Bellingham
Important Notice: Scholarship application information and posters for the Assistance League of Bellingham’s 2026 Summer Enrichment Scholarship Program are being delivered to all Whatcom County public middle and high schools in early January. Don’t wait for warmer weather – winter is the perfect opportunity for parents and students to lay the groundwork for an unforgettable and productive summer experience.
As a student, have you ever been moved by an experience that can be transformative and reveal new aspects of your life?
Through the merits of their application packet, which includes an essay and a letter of recommendation, the Assistance League of Bellingham’s 2025 Enrichment Summer Program offered 113 Whatcom County middle and high school students the opportunity to discover new talents or strengthen their unique abilities in their chosen summer program. Our investment of $74,000 will have multi-faceted benefits for all the students.
We invited students who attended these vibrant summer programs to anonymously share their experiences. A few of their powerful stores are included here.
Over the summer I participated in the Blaine Harbor music festival. This one camp was hands down the most productive and interesting week of my life both as a musician and as a usually slow to trust person. From the moment I walked through the doors and heard the amazing Grammy winning trumpet of Charlie Porter, or the beautiful sound of Greta Matassa singing the blues, I knew that I was to be changed by this camp. The first day it was like diving into a pool of ice cold water after being in a hot tub. Compared to the lack of care and excitement I’ve faced being in a middle school band in Bellingham, it was refreshing to be around other kids as excited by music and jazz as me. I owe so much to ALB for the amazing chance to be submerged into something so spectacular. Thank you so much!
I just wanted to say a huge thank you for giving me the chance to attend the Broadcast and Journalism Camp. It honestly meant so much to me, and I’m really grateful for the opportunity. Going into camp, I was curious about journalism but wasn’t completely sure if it was something I wanted to do long-term. After spending time learning how to write, film, edit and even speak on camera, I realized how much I actually enjoyed it. Being around professionals in the field and getting hands-on experience helped me see that this is something I can really see myself doing as a career. The camp helped me figure things out in a way I didn’t expect. I felt inspired, motivated, and a lot more confident in the direction I want to take with my future. Thank you so much for making that possible.
Thank you so much for the opportunity given to me by the Assistance League. I went to Circus Smirkus Advanced Individual Acts camp. Getting to go be in the mountains of Vermont with 60 other circus kids all without phones was life changing. I loved having one on one juggling coaching, I learned so much. I also made many friends from all over the world. The main focus of the camp was individual circus act creation. I created a juggling act for the first time and it is something I am very proud of. I have included a link to watch it below. This camp has helped prepare me for a career in circus, and I hope to be a part of a traveling circus next summer. Once I came home, I performed my new act at the Bellingham Circus Guild.
Here is a YouTube link with the video of my act: https://youtu.be/1sNqmkHSiHQ
Below is the QR code and link to the Enrichment Scholarship Program application information:
