GUTENSTEIN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM - PRESS RELEASE
Global Camps Africa Launches the Gutenstein Scholarship Program to Support Alumni Pursuing Higher Education and Entrepreneurship
[Lynchburg, VA] — June 17, 2026 — Global Camps Africa, a nonprofit committed to supporting vulnerable children and youth in South Africa, is proud to announce the launch of the Gutenstein Scholarship Program, a new initiative designed to support young members of the Global Camps Africa community as they take advantage of the empowerment received at camp to launch themselves into higher education or entrepreneurial ventures.
The Gutenstein Scholarship Program represents a significant investment in the next generation of leaders and innovators emerging from Global Camps Africa’s programs. In South Africa, less than 20% of young people attend college, and more than 60% of young people are unemployed. By providing financial assistance, informational resources, and mentorship, the scholarship seeks to help young South Africans transform the leadership skills, resilience, and vision they developed through Global Camps Africa into meaningful educational and economic opportunities.
“For years, Global Camps Africa has been empowering and equipping vulnerable youth in South Africa with the tools they need to change their lives and pursue their dreams. But, until now, we haven’t been able to take the all-important next step with our campers: launching their education or entrepreneurship journeys. Thanks to the Gutenstein Scholarship Program, these incredibly bright, motivated, and capable young people will have the resources and support structure to turn those dreams into a brighter future for us all,” said Emily Crowder, Global Camps Africa’s Executive Director. “I’m deeply inspired by the Gutenstein Heritage Foundation’s generosity, vision, and commitment to doing everything it takes to drive real and lasting change for the children of South Africa. I can’t wait to see what these young people do with this incredible opportunity.”
Scholarship awards may be used to support tuition, educational expenses, startup costs for small businesses, and other approved expenses that contribute to recipients' long-term success and self-sufficiency.
The program is made possible through the generosity of long-time supporter and friend of Global Camps Africa, the Gutenstein Heritage Foundation. Recognizing the transformative impact of Global Camps Africa’s programs, the Foundation sought to create opportunities that extend beyond the organization's core curriculum. Their investment reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that the leadership, confidence, and potential cultivated through Global Camps Africa continue to create lasting impact for years to come.
The Gutenstein Scholarship Program represents a natural evolution of Global Camps Africa's mission. For more than two decades, the organization has empowered thousands of young people in South Africa through leadership development, health education, mentorship, and life-skills programming. By supporting alumni as they pursue their educational and professional goals, the scholarship helps bridge the gap between youth development and long-term economic opportunity, helping recipients successfully navigate the critical transition from adolescence into adulthood.
For additional details about the scholarship, visit https://www.globalcampsafrica.org/gutenstein-scholarship-program.
About Global Camps Africa
Global Camps Africa equips South Africa’s vulnerable youth with the tools and knowledge to lead healthy, empowered lives and make positive impacts on their communities. Founded in 2003 by former Peace Corps volunteer and international camp director Philip Lilienthal, the organization uses the transformative power of camp to create opportunities for learning, connection, and personal growth.
What began as a vision to mitigate the HIV/AIDS epidemic in South Africa through preventative education has grown into a comprehensive model that addresses the multitude of challenges facing South African youth, including poverty, unemployment, violence, substance abuse, and more. Through immersive camp experiences and ongoing community-based programming, Global Camps Africa empowers young people to make informed choices, strengthen their leadership abilities, and develop the resilience needed to navigate an increasingly complex world.
At the heart of this work is Camp Sizanani, the organization’s flagship residential camp program that has served nearly 12,000 children through 104 sessions, with a curriculum focused on health, well-being, and life skills. Complementing the camp experience are Global Camps Africa's year-round biweekly Youth Clubs, which have reached more than 75,000 young people through more than 1,600 sessions that provide mentorship, academic support, health services, and safe spaces for continued learning and growth.