Scholarships and Camperships
Spring 2026
$5,000 Scholarships for Local Students
Pursuing 21st Century Environmental Studies Careers or Related Fields of Study
Eligibility requirements - Applicants must meet the following general criteria:
- Be a resident of Centerbrook, Essex or Ivoryton, Chester, Deep River
- Be a high school senior or undergraduate/graduate college student. Prior year recipients are also encouraged to reapply
- Be pursuing or planning to pursue environment studies or a related field of studies in an accredited
two-year or four-year institute of higher learning - Have a "B" or better grade point average in current program of studies
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Fields may include:
Earth and Environmental Science Climate Science Ecology Environmental Engineering Environmental Humanities Environment Justice Environmental Law and Public Policy Environmental Toxicology Forestry Geology Horticulture Renewable Energy or Urban Land Conservation Landscape Design Nursery Management |
Online applications available from
February 1 – April 24, 2026 Click here (coming Feb 1) to access and complete the online Scholarship Application (Activated on February 1, 2026) Online access is also available at the following locations: High School Guidance Counselor Offices Essex, Ivoryton, Chester, Deep River Libraries DEADLINE: Completed application packets must be submitted online by 5:00 pm on April 24, 2026 |
Your Education is Important to Us
Essex Garden Club 2024-2025 Scholarship Awards
The Essex Garden Club is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2025 college scholarships. The scholarships are awarded to students who are pursuing studies related to the environment. This year scholarships totaling $26,000 were awarded to the following ten Essex students:
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Anna Benson, a 2023 graduate of Valley Regional High School, will be a junior in the fall and attends Northeastern University. Her major is biology, and she is a member of the Husky Environmental Action Team at Northeastern, which is a club that promotes sustainability on campus.
Jack Finnegan, a 2023 graduate of Valley Regional High School, will be a junior at MIT in the fall and attends MIT. He is pursuing a degree in Computer Science and sees technologies as a powerful tool for driving sustainability. Jack is a member of the MIT Energy and Climate Club – a central platform for energy-related dialogue and collaboration on campus. Nathaniel Hill, a 2021 graduate of Valley Regional High School, will be a graduate student at the University of Denver. He intends to study Global Environmental Sustainability. Nathaniel is interested in developing strategies that manage conservation and recreation. Abigail Jones, a senior at Valley Regional High School, will be a freshman at Connecticut College in the fall. She is planning to study Mathematics and Education. She is an active member of Valley’s environmental club. Abigail believes education is one of the most powerful tools for promoting environmental change. Zachary Jones, a 2024 graduate of Valley Regional High School, will be a sophomore at the University of Connecticut in the fall. Zachary has worked with Project Oceanology to test water quality and monitor fish populations both of which are vital to preserving ocean ecosystems. |
Delny Marsden, a senior at Valley Regional High School, is co-president of Valley’s environmental club. She is planning to study Biology at the University of California, Davis. While studying at UC Davis, she plans to explore how humans and other organisms interact and
change the Earth’s environment. Anna McCaulay, a 2024 graduate of Valley Regional High School, will be a sophomore at Fordham College in the fall. Anna is pursuing degree in Biological Sciences. Anna studies animal behavior to protect their habitats and is dedicated to environmental conservation. Michael McCauley, a 2022 graduate of Xavier High School, will be a senior at Union College in the fall of 2025. He majors in Environmental Policy and recently interned at the Sustainable Living Center. He hopes to use his education to work for a development company to promote green building as well as environmental responsibility and ecological restoration. Abigail Reardon, a 2024 graduate of Valley Regional High School, attends the University of Miami where she studies Marine Science and Biology. She participates in a program called WAVES, which aims to enhance education among elementary school students in the fields of marine science and conservation. Matthew Reardon, a 2022 graduate of Valley Regional High School, attends the University of Miami. He is pursuing double majors in Marine Science and Meteorology, along with a minor in Mathematics and Ecosystem Science and Policy. He intends to leverage his education to enhance the understanding and forecasting of weather and climate variations, thereby assessing future ecosystem changes and their environmental impacts. |
2026 Essex Garden Club Camperships
Supporting Access to Summer Camp
The Essex Garden Club is proud to support local children by providing campership funding that helps make summer camp opportunities accessible to those who might not otherwise be able to attend. By prioritizing financial need, the Club ensures that children can benefit from enriching, educational, and confidence-building summer experiences regardless of family circumstances.
Special environment / conservation focused summer camp sessions are offered by The Incarnation Center, Camp Hazen, and
Essex Parks and Recreation.
Each year, the Essex Garden Club supports approximately forty local children through the camperships.
Funding for this program is made possible through proceeds from the Club’s annual May Market and Pop-Up Sales, along with the
generous support of the Kitchings Family Foundation and Essex Savings Bank.
The Essex Garden Club is proud to support local children by providing campership funding that helps make summer camp opportunities accessible to those who might not otherwise be able to attend. By prioritizing financial need, the Club ensures that children can benefit from enriching, educational, and confidence-building summer experiences regardless of family circumstances.
Special environment / conservation focused summer camp sessions are offered by The Incarnation Center, Camp Hazen, and
Essex Parks and Recreation.
Each year, the Essex Garden Club supports approximately forty local children through the camperships.
Funding for this program is made possible through proceeds from the Club’s annual May Market and Pop-Up Sales, along with the
generous support of the Kitchings Family Foundation and Essex Savings Bank.