The Richard Miles Decker Memorial Scholarship Funds
Richard Decker was a camper at Falcon in the 1960s, and a counselor in the early 1970s. He truly loved, appreciated, and thrived in the Falcon environment. His involvement with Falcon contributed significantly to his growth and development as a person. Sadly, we lost Rich to cancer in 1983. In his honor, his family established the Richard Miles Decker Memorial Scholarship Funds to provide a tribute to the enrichment Rich enjoyed at Falcon Camp.
The Decker family felt that a scholarship endowment providing tuition assistance for other children to enjoy Falcon would serve as an appropriate memorial to Rich. This fund provides support for children who would most benefit from attending camp, but lack the financial means. The Funds are managed by a volunteer Board of Trustees consisting wholly of former Falcon campers and counselors, all with a longtime affiliation with Falcon. Administrative and mailing expenses are paid independently by the Trustees, meaning 100% of contributions go directly to the endowment to benefit the campers sponsored by the scholarships.
From its inception, the Decker Fund has subsisted on the generosity of Falcon alumni and has awarded more than sixty scholarships since 1985. As Falcon and the world continue to evolve, updating the board and its processes has become necessary. Over the past year, three new Trustees have joined the Decker Board, while two of the original members have transitioned to Emeritus status. During this transition, the Decker Board has been working to modernize the organization with a specific emphasis on fundraising and presentation in the digital environment to posture the Decker Fund to provide an increasing number of scholarships, allowing even more deserving children the Falcon experience.
Each Trustee brings their own story of what Falcon meant to them as campers and counselors, and what they hope to accomplish in this role.
“As a camper from the mid 1970s and a counselor in the 80s and 90s, Falcon allowed me to develop lifelong skills, memories, and friends. Skills that proved valuable as a Marine and Naval Aviator, comforting memories invaluable in less than ideal times, and friends that keep me coming back to one particular harbor on Leesville Lake. I cannot fathom what life may have been without my Falcon experiences. As a member of the Decker Board, I am excited to be in a position to support the growth of the scholarship fund and help align the efforts of the Board and the camp to ensure an opportunity for future generations to embrace their Falcon experience.”
“Falcon was easily the most formidable experience I had growing up. And it wasn’t just me; both of my sisters were at camp with me for a decade. I could write an entire article on what camp means to me, then and now. All of us could. But it is the understanding of the financial load of sending three kids to camp for over ten years brings that has me writing today. I expect my contributions to the Decker Fund center around growing and organizing fundraising efforts. Each year, the number of families we hear from who know the value of the Falcon experience, but cannot meet the financial demands, grows exponentially. I want the next chapter of my Falcon legacy to create a pathway for those families to give their children the immeasurable gift my family gave my sisters and me.”
Currently, the Decker Fund Board of Trustees consists of Bruce Buzza ’70, Morgan L. Curtiss, Armand Holmes, David Rentz ’75, Josephine Rex ‘98, and Treasurer James Mahen.
Emeritus Trustees include Steven B. Shechter ’59, Jon C. Volkwein ’66, Terri “Tree” Eaborn ’74, Fred M. Fargotstein ’73, and Treasurer Charles A. Beringer ’66.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about The Richard M. Decker Memorial Scholarship Funds, please reach out to info@deckerscholarshipfunds.org. All donations are tax deductible and more information, including how to make a contribution, can be found at https://www.falconcamp.com/parents/decker-scholarship-info/.