Special Programs

Babysitting Program:  This popular civic event is offered in the fall to all middle school students in the Andover public and private school system. The program is a five-week interactive course, covering pertinent information important for today's young babysitters. Designed to be a certificate course and not a certification course, we endeavor to provide information to train students in the basics of childcare, first aid and safety but do not represent that the student is qualified to be a babysitter. A certificate is awarded to students who pass the final exam and miss no more than one class.  

Offered for many years as a service to young Andover residents, Andona revamped the program content in '03-'04  to bring it up to date with the standards of established programs offered by reputable organizations like the Red Cross. We encourage students of both genders to take the course, as the information is valuable not only for babysitting but also for helping Mom and Dad care for younger siblings. Check back for detailed information about our next program scheduled for the fall of 2008.   

Scholarships:  Please use the following links to obtain the 2008 application letter and application. 

Each year, Andona provides five -  $2,000 scholarships to high school seniors whose principal residence is Andover.  Eligible applicants must also be ranked in the upper 50% of their high school class and have plans to continue their education after graduation from high school.  One of the five scholarships is awarded to a senior enrolled in the PAC 766 program.  The Scholarship Committee reviews the applicant’s academic performance, community service, extracurricular and employment activities, and character.  We participate in the Andover Dollars for Scholars program which allows those who attend partnership colleges to match the scholarship awarded.    

....This scholarship is so deeply appreciated by my family.  It is a huge reward for all of the hard work I've done through my four years of high school.  Truth be told, money was a very important factor in my college decision and I will work hard both academically and athletically and prove to myself that you can do whatever you want if you put some muscle into it.  Thank you, Andona Society, for this scholarship.      2004 Scholarship Winner

2000 Andona winners and their family members

Camperships:   For questions or copies of summer camp brochures, please contact the Chairperson in charge of Camperships (2008), Darlene Ohlenbusch, 978-409-7763 or e-mail Darlene at camperships@andonasociety.org.  

Each summer we provide over $13,000 in summer “campership” opportunities to needy youth living in Andover.  Andona works closely with the school system to identify prospective candidates and then works with candidate families to enroll their children in camp programs of their choice.  Our sponsorship provides up to $225 per child per summer.  Interested families should contact the adjustment counselor at their child's school.

Candidate families are contacted by Andona via mail in the beginning of March and are asked to provide us with all of the necessary forms and applications by April 30th 2006. Applications will be assigned a number in the order they are received and camperships will be awarded on a first come/first served basis.

In recent years several recipients chose to attend: Camp Otter, Dept. of Community Services - Andover, SHED, Hooptown, MSPCA and many others.   For a more in depth list of camps offered in our area please visit the website at Memorial Hall Library www.mhl.org/community/camps/camps.htm.  

We received Camperships for 2 children for this summer at Camp Adventure.  I want to thank you for your continued support of this family and for so many other families in the community.  I know they appreciate it, as do we!  Keep up the great work that you do!   Executive Director, SHED, Inc. - '04