Four Star Fellowship Program

group of boys in front of Camp North Star sign

(1 week)

Four Star Fellowship (4SF) seeks to empower Chicago’s youth to achieve their full potential – using the transformative experience of overnight camp to strengthen bonds with their year-round adult mentors.

Four Star Fellowship is a FREE and FUN week-long overnight summer camp experience for Black and Brown teens and their year-round mentors to enjoy new activities and experiences amidst the breathtaking natural landscape of Northern Wisconsin. The program is offered in partnership with Chicago-based youth serving organizations and a trio of ACA accredited camps: North Star Camp for Boys, Camp Timberlane for Boys, and Camp WeHaKee for Girls.

Download the 4SF Flyer

2024 Young Men’s Flyer

English

Espanol

2024 Young Women’s Flyer

English

Espanol

2024 Session Dates

Young Men’s Program

August 9-15, 2024

Young Women’s Program

August 4-9, 2024

Registration Guide

2024 Registration Opening Dates

Returning Campers

March 15, 2024

(by invitation only)

First Time Campers

April 2, 2024

4SF was founded by Camp for All Kids board members John Wolf and Zach Kelly, in collaboration with North Star Camp Owner & Director Andy Shlensky. The program, originally designed for Black and Brown young men from Chicago's south and west sides, was born from the belief that every young person should be afforded the opportunity to benefit from the infusion of wonder, independence, camaraderie, and skill-building that overnight summer camps are uniquely positioned to provide.

For 2023, Four Star Fellowship is expanding to three partner camps in Northern Wisconsin. We are launching a Young Women’s Pilot Program at Camp WeHaKee for Girls, and will be hosting the Young Men’s Program at Camp Timberlane for Boys in addition to North Star Camp.

Camp for All Kids Campership and School Partner Manager Robyn Boehm, Four Star Fellowship Camp Director Dar'tavous Dorsey, and North Star Camp Owner & Director Andy Shlenksy

Dar’tavous Dorsey orchestrates and leads the 4SF program in partnership with Camp for All Kids leadership and host camp staff. Mr. Dorsey, a youth counselor and mentor by profession, works in the off season to tap into the collective reach of our partner networks to recruit Fellows from every corner of the city. The result is a diverse tapestry of young people who represent different neighborhoods, backgrounds, interests, and experiences. During the program Mr. Dorsey and his team engage the Fellows in meaningful conversations, lead social and emotional activities, and ensure they experience FUN traditional camp activities.

Four Star Fellowship Activities:

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Archery
Arts and Crafts
Basketball
Campfire Building
Canoeing
Eating Great Food
Fishing
Field Games
Hiking

Horseback Riding
Outdoor Trip Experiences
Rock Climbing
Sleeping in a Cabin
Swimming in the Lake
Tubing
Watching the Stars
Waterskiing

And SO much more!

Community Connection

Dar’tavous Dorsey is co-founder of the Four Star Fellowship Program, along with Zach Kelly, John Wolf, and Andy Shlensky. Mr. Dorsey, a seasoned youth development professional and mentor, is our Community Camp Director for the Young Men’s Program at North Star Camp during the summer session. During the off-season, Mr. Dorsey works with 4SF staff and partner Community-Based Organizations to tap into the collective reach of our networks, drawing young people and adult mentors from every corner of the city to camp, and guiding our growth and presence in the community.

Program Manager

Hannah oversees the logistics of the program, from registration to transportation and all points in between! She graduated with a Bachelors in Spanish from Carleton College and worked in the camping field for a decade with Camp Thunderbird for Girls, The Road Less Traveled, and now Camp for All Kids. She has led adventure and service trips for teens and young adults across the country and around the world. Hannah is honored to be a part of the Four Star Fellowship's work to make the beauty and healing of the outdoors accessible to all young people in Chicago. Hannah is the main point of contact for Four Star Fellowship families and partners.

For questions, further information, or to become a partner organization, please e-mail the program manager Hannah at hannah@campforallkids.org.

Four Star Fellowship is offered in partnership with: