A History of Changing Lives
For over 80 years, Sherwood Forest has been giving kids a ‘home away from home.’
1937 – With a volunteer staff and only $2,000 for food and cooks, Sherwood Forest first provided a residential summer camp experience for 600 youth from underprivileged backgrounds. Operating on a rented site at Cuivre River State Park in Troy, Missouri, Sherwood Forest gave children opportunities like nothing they’d ever experienced.
1942 – The Leadership Training Program was developed to help prepare high school freshman to transition from being campers to becoming staff members through community service, hand-on lessons, and year-round meetings.
1948 – 54 Saint Louis Public School students participated in Sherwood Forest’s school camp program – the first program of its kind in St. Louis.
1954 – Sherwood Forest began racial integration and inclusion of children with disabilities.
1976 – The “Continued Contact” program began to offer year-round activities for all campers throughout the school year.
1984 – The Intensive Parenting Retreat is created for families who are homeless or in transition.
2016 – The Supports for Success program is launched to help better prepare the youth who participate in our programs for postsecondary success.
