What is the Richard Decker Scholarship Fund?

   The Richard Miles Decker Memorial Scholarship Funds were founded soon after cancer ended Rich’s life in 1983.The organization was established by the Decker Family because of its appreciation of how Rich’s experiences at Falcon Camp as a camper in the 1960’s, and then as a counselor in the early 1970’s, contributed in such a meaningful and important way to his growth and development as a person.

   The specific purpose of this scholarship program is to provide the Falcon Experience to children who would most benefit from attending Falcon Camp, but who may lack the financial means to do so.The Decker Family felt that a scholarship endowment providing tuition assistance to these children would serve as an appropriate, living memorial to Rich, and a tribute to the happy days that he enjoyed at Falcon Camp.

   The scholarship program is administered by a volunteer board of Trustees, all of whom are former Falcon campers or counselors. They maintain longtime affiliations with Falcon Camp, and are devoted to the program’s development and success.

   Assets of the Decker Scholarship Funds are used only to provide a specific summer program for these deserving children, and are not utilized for the camp’s capital expenses or ordinary operations. Contributions are invested in a balanced portfolio of mutual funds. The current endowment has enabled the Decker Funds to award approximately forty scholarships since 1985, each to a child whom the Trustees felt would benefit from and grow through the Falcon Experience.

How can I apply for the Decker Scholarship?

• The applicant must submit a standard camp application form to the Decker Scholarship Trustees, along with a letter from the applicant stating why a Falcon Camp experience would be beneficial to him or her.
• The applicant's parent or guardian must also submit a letter to the Trustees stating why he or she feels that the child should recieve a scholarship.  Financial need may be mentioned here, but this will not be the sole determining factor.  Letters of reference from teachers, coaches, and other mentors are highly recommended.
• March 1 is the annual application deadline.  All information must be received by that date in order to be considered.
• Scholarships are awarded by a majority vote of the Trustees, with the approval of the Camp Director.  The Trustees may elect to award no scholarships in any given year.
• At the conclusion of the camp session attended, each scholarship recipient must submit a letter to the Trustees describing his or her experience at Falcon Camp.  The Trustees may forward copies of this letter to the Decker Family and other contributors.
  

Please mail all of these items to the following address:

The Richard Miles Decker Memorial Scholarship Funds

P.O. Box 16361

Pittsburgh, PA 15242-0361

Can I contribute to the Decker Scholarship Fund?

   The Decker Family, the Trustees, and the friends of Falcon Camp join in seeking additional donations to speed the growth of this endowment. Because administrative and mailing expenses are paid independently by the Trustees, 100% of your contribution goes directly to the endowment in order to benefit the children sponsored by the scholarships.We ask for your generous contribution so that the Decker Scholarship Funds may continue to provide young people with the rich and meaningful experience of camp life.

Please make your check payable to The Decker Scholarship Funds, and mail it to the above address.

Thank you!

The Richard Miles Decker Memorial Scholarship Funds are a 501(c)(3) organization under IRS regulations; the tax identification number 34-1750518. Your gift is tax-deductable to the extent allowed by law.