Investing in Our Communities: Ben England and Jameson Camp

Many local residents aren’t aware that a leafy 132-acre campground lies just minutes southwest of downtown Indianapolis. But to Ben England, a director in the Audit & Assurance Services Group at KSM, and others familiar with Jameson Camp, it’s a very special place.

Ben first discovered Jameson Camp during KSM’s 2015 Community Day. During this day of service, KSMers volunteered to help beautify the camp’s grounds and facilities, taking on projects like revitalizing hiking trails, repairing camp houses, painting, mulching, and more. Volunteering with this impressive organization, with its mission of helping kids discover their strengths, deeply impacted Ben, and when an opportunity to serve on the board came up in 2022, he jumped at the chance.

Removing Barriers for Kids

Founded in 1928, Jameson Camp offers an inclusive sleepaway camp program that includes a variety of recreational activities and immersion in a spectacular natural environment. A camp like this isn’t always accessible to all children, but Jameson Camp takes a different approach.

“The purpose of Jameson Camp is to remove barriers for children ages 7-17,” Ben explains. “It really hurts to know that there are kids who can’t go to camp due to things out of their control.” But thanks to the camp’s generous endowments, donors, and dedicated staff, he says, no child misses out on a Jameson Camp experience due to financial limitations. For some, it may be their first opportunity to leave the city and enjoy nature.

Jameson Camp opens up so many doors to give every kid a chance to attend camp. And you really have no idea what kind of impact going to camp could have on their life.

– Ben England, Audit & Assurance Services Group

Physical and mental health diagnoses often put a sleepaway camp experience out of reach for kids, too. But Jameson Camp maintains a 1:5 counselor-to-camper ratio and employs a staff of behavioral specialists. Camp counselors, who are recruited from around the world, are certified and receive training to help support kids with special social, emotional, and behavioral needs.

The extra training and staffing let Jameson Camp open the door for children who might not be welcome at other camps due to disability or behavioral issues. “That’s never the case at Jameson Camp,” says Ben. “We give kids a chance to have a great experience that they might not be able to otherwise. We open up so many doors to give every kid a chance.”

It’s a singular opportunity for campers to try new activities, explore nature, and grow emotionally and socially in a supportive and inclusive environment. Ben believes the experience can be transformative for all participants, including those with disabilities or behavioral challenges as well as typically developing kids. He says, “You really have no idea what kind of impact this could have on their life.”

Finding Meaning Through Giving Back

As a volunteer board member, Ben has experienced first-hand KSM’s commitment to its communities. In addition to providing a flexible environment in which he can integrate his board responsibilities, KSM also sponsors Jameson Camp’s May Breakfast, the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year.

“KSM is thrilled for all of us to contribute to the community,” Ben says, and he encourages fellow KSMers to get involved, too. “If you’re nervous or you’re not sure if you could really contribute, I promise you – you can.”

He advises those who may feel hesitant about volunteering, “Don’t be scared to step out of your comfort zone, because you’d be surprised by how much impact you can make right away.” Whatever their passion, Ben believes others will find volunteering and giving back as rewarding as he does. “If you can really commit to that purpose, you’ll never look back.”

Learn more about community engagement at KSM.