the Camp Catanese dream
Camp Catanese was founded by Jason Catanese in 2016 out of desire to provide his former middle school students from the Maryvale district of greater Phoenix, AZ with a rich summer experience that would keep them on track in their STEM courses and prepare them for college.
The need for this dream is evidenced by the numbers:
The need for this dream is evidenced by the numbers:
- Only 75% of Phoenix Union High School District graduate from high school with four years (https://azreportcards.azed.gov/districts/detail/4286)
- The Phoenix Union High School District college enrollment rate is only 36% (https://www.azregents.edu/high-school-report-card?id=5441)
- Of this 36%, only 29% are of Latino/Hispanic heritage although the student body in the Phoenix Union High School District comprised of 81% Latino/Hispanic students (https://azreportcards.azed.gov/districts/detail/4286)
|
VISION:
Ensure that all students will graduate educated and be empowered to choose their own path. |
MISSION:
Camp Catanese Foundation prepares underprivileged students for college and career opportunities through STEAM, team-building, and social experiences. |
The camp catanese foundation & camp Catanese Programming
|
Since 2016, Camp Catanese hosts an annual one-week STEM and college preparatory camp held at ASU-West. Students in grades 7th – 12th grade learn about how to access college in a fun, engaging setting. We recruit camp staff from around the country, 100% of which are volunteers.
|
Camp Catanese offers year-round events to support students with college applications, FAFSA, scholarship searches, ACT prep, STEM field trips, and more! This includes Fall Camp and Winter Camp weekends!
|
The Camp Catanese Foundation provides scholarships for college, secondary education, and field trips. Every graduating senior camper receives an $1,000 scholarship. To date, we have awarded over $300,000 in scholarships.
|
In 2022, Camp Catanese programming and funding grew to serve our student alumni currently enrolled in college. This extension created an annual College Conference, the Camp Catanese College Club, and an Alumni Scholarship. Check out our Alumni Program page for more information.
|
The Impact
Since 2016, Camp Catanese has served hundreds of low income students in the Phoenix metropolitan area from over 35 high schools.
|
|
|
|
Student Stories
Visit our blog to read about some of our students' experiences, from their perspective! They talk about how Camp Catanese personally impacted their lives and how it has helped shape their futures for the better!
|
NATHAN MARTINEZ RUBIO
Read about one of Mr. Cat's first students, Nathan! Nathan is now teaching alongside Mr. Catanese at Pueblo Del Sol Elementary School, as a teacher with Teach for America with the 2022 Corps. |
|
KARLA RAMOS GONZALEZ
Read about a student who was impacted by Camp Catanese without ever being a student of Mr. Cat. Karla's involvement with Camp Catanese inspired her to apply out of state for college, and she now attends Yale University majoring in architecture with a design concentration. |