The Rotary Club of Chelsea annually sponsors twenty Chelsea children to one week at Camp Rotary. The Club pays all expenses for the camp week including tuition, field trips, cabin pictures and canteen funds. Camp Rotary is an overnight camp located on Stiles Pond in Boxford, MA owned by the Rotary Club of Lynn and managed by Youth Services Managers, Inc. Camp Rotary officially turned 100 years old in 2021 which was celebrated with a Centennial Gala at its spectacular new dining hall on June 11 2022.
The Chelsea children are chosen based upon essays submitted to the Rotary Club of Chelsea explaining why they should be selected to attend camp. Prior to camp the selected children and their parents are required to attend a pre-camp meeting held at the Clark Ave School Cafeteria. At the meeting, Camp Director Dr. Rich Cowdell explains to the children and their parents what to expect during their week at Camp Rotary. He also answers questions from the children and their parents. Rotary Club of Chelsea Past President Sue Gallant is the chairperson of this Rotary project. She works with the Chelsea Public Schools to distribute the applications to Chelsea students, coordinates transportation to and from camp with the Chelsea Police Department and makes sure all the children are properly prepared to attend camp. That includes supplying each child with a backpack filled with items they will need for camp. Since 1998 the Rotary Club of Chelsea has sponsored over 395 Chelsea students at Camp Rotary thanks to the generosity of the Chelsea Club members and local businesses