The Greenville Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce the new Fran and Don Gibbs Science Camp Fund. The story of this fund begins in the early 1960s when Fran Gibbs first stepped foot on the grounds of Camp Newaygo. As a young girl, she fell in love with camp and her summer days spent at Camp Newaygo left a lasting mark on her heart.

Years passed and Fran reconnected with Camp Newaygo when her daughters were old enough to attend. The girls went for many years, and camp became like a second home- a place of acceptance, growth, and empowerment.  

Seeing firsthand the transformative power of camp experiences, and hoping to encourage campers to attend, Fran started leading a science enrichment program at Camp Newaygo. With a background in elementary education, she saw the camp setting as ideal. Campers could make a mess forming and testing a hypothesis, working through a process, and collaborating with a small group.

Recognizing cost could be a barrier, Fran started seeking scholarship funding for camp. For many years, the program was supported by the Education Foundation of Greenville (EFG), allowing students from the Greenville Public Schools to attend. When funding shifted, Fran started looking for alternatives. Her husband Don suggested contacting GACF, and the idea of a fund blossomed.

Fran and Don felt a strong desire to give back to the community that had given them so much. They saw how their daughters flourished through camp experiences and wanted to ensure others had the same opportunity. But Fran was not content to wait to make a difference. By establishing the Fran and Don Gibbs Science Camp Fund, their vision became a reality, and for Fran, there is immense pride in knowing that good is happening in her lifetime. A story that began in 1961 at Camp Newaygo has become a legacy of lasting impact for the Greenville community.

To learn more about the Fran and Don Gibbs Science Camp Fund, or to celebrate with a gift to the fund, please click here.