Donate to Camp Encore/coda
Be a part of our Life Changing Summer Music Camp
Tax-Deductible Scholarship donations at Camp Encore/Coda are operated in partnership with the American Camp Association (ACA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity. If you wish to donate to one of our dedicated scholarships, please scroll down to read more.
The link below will take you to the ACA Online Donations Form. Please write Camp Encore/Coda in the first line to make sure your donation goes to our Camp.
The ACA gives an option for recurring Monthly donations. Please follow the link below and write Camp Encore/Coda in the first line.
Recurring Donations
If you’d like to donate via Check, Checks may be made out to “ACA Campership Program” with “Camp Encore/Coda” in the memo line. Checks are sent to:
American Camp Association
Attn: Camp Encore/Coda Campership Fund
5000 State Road 67 N
Martinsville, IN 46151-7902
Irwin Altman Memorial Scholarship
Irwin Altman is Camp Director Cara Bergantino’s maternal grandfather, and was a beloved Educator, Assistant Principal, School Superintendent, and summer camp enthusiast. In addition to his career in education, he spent his summers working as a Head Counselor at overnight camps in Maine at Camp Naomi/Joseph and in Upstate New York at Camp Oquago.
After his death in 1993, the Middle School #172 in Queens, NY was renamed the Irwin Altman Middle School in his honor. In 2023, Altman’s children began an Encore/Coda scholarship in his name to bring one music student from the Irwin Altman Middle School to Camp Encore/Coda each summer. Irwin Altman knew first-hand the importance summer camp played in the development of young people, and he would have been thrilled to know a young musician was able to spend the summer in Maine in his name.
This yearly scholarship for one camper is funded by the generosity of Artie and Randy Altman and Candy Altman and Joe Bergantino. The family would love to be able to extend this scholarship to other deserving young people either from the Altman Middle School or another public school.
Mouhamed Cisse Memorial Scholarship
Our scholarship devoted specifically to campers of color is in the name of beloved camper Mouhamed Cisse. Click the button below to visit our Mouhamed Cisse Scholarship Fund Page dedicated to Mouhamed’s memory to learn more and donate.
Mouhamed Cisse ScholarshipRebecca Lamb Conkle Memorial Scholarship
Becky Conkle,(1940-2012), pianist, vocalist, and music educator is remembered fondly for her impeccably high standards, tireless dedication to her students and colleagues, and a never-ending song in her heart. Her notoriously exuberant laughter was truly a thing of beauty!
She touched the lives of her classmates while pursuing her degree in Music Education at Murray State University in Kentucky and then again when, later in life she entered graduate school at Auburn University as an experienced teacher and parent to earn a degree in Special Education in order to bring her expertise into schools serving those with disabilities.
Becky raised her four children in a home where their creative interests were embraced, and then nurtured by her dedication to finding (and driving to!) music teachers and ensembles, purchasing instruments, and prioritizing daily practice for many years. Alongside their pursuits, she maintained an active voice studio and conducted a community chorus, all of which took place in the family’s living room on weekday afternoons and evenings! Additionally, she consistently provided exposure to what is possible when artists collaborate: opera companies, symphony orchestras, jazz bands, choral groups, singers and songwriters of all genres!
Becky was a big believer in the transformative power of attending a sleepaway music camp: finding yourself, taking risks, creating and living in a community with fellow artists also looking for inspiration and support through the expression and connection of music. It is in honor of her devotion to educating the next generation of musicians and creatives that this scholarship to Camp Encore/Coda was created.
If you’d like to contribute to this scholarship fund, please email cara@encorecoda.com.
Saltman Family Scholarship
We celebrate the legacy of the Saltman Family, who founded and stewarded this amazing camp for 72 years, with this scholarship announced at the Alumni Reunion in 2024. It will be used to bring at least one child from Maine, who couldn’t otherwise afford to attend camp, to Encore/Coda every summer.
The idea of Camp Encore (as it was first called) was conceived by Phil and Ruth Saltman, who ran a summer music program at their home in Marblehead, MA in 1950 with just one student each. The program expanded over the course of a decade until it outgrew the Saltman home and moved to its current location in Sweden, Maine, a place so many would come to call their home away from home. Over 30+ summers, Phil and Ruth provided generations of children from all over the world the musical summer experience of a lifetime.
The next generation of Saltmans, Jamie and Ellen, operated and grew the camp for 30+ more summers! They made it possible for any camper who wanted to attend Encore/Coda to do so through the camp’s very generous scholarship program. Jamie and Ellen always felt it was really important for Encore/Coda to serve the local community, both through patronizing and supporting local businesses and providing local kids with the opportunity to experience Camp.
To honor the Saltman’s for all they have done to create, build and grow Encore Coda, please consider donating to the Saltman Legacy Scholarship. To do so, please write “Saltman Family Legacy” in the “In honor of” box on the donation page.
Start a Memorial Scholarship with Camp Encore/Coda
We are touched and honored when families and individuals start a scholarship fund to help give campers the best summer of their lives. If you would like to set up a memorial scholarship, the first step is to contact Cara (cara@encorecoda.com). She will be happy to speak to you about this process.
General Scholarship Fund
Donating to our General Scholarship Fund guarantees that your money goes where it is most needed for scholarships.
All Donations are Tax-Deductible
-The American Camp Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity.
-They will issue you a receipt directly after donating.
-EIN/Tax ID of the ACA: 35-0962419
-Questions? Give us a call at 617-584-1129 or Email Cara directly.