Batavia woman’s club (BWC) scholarship program

Each year, the BWC hosts two flower fundraisers, then turns these dollars into summer STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) educational enrichment camp scholarships to deserving middle school students. The program provides scholarships to students entering grades 6-9 currently living in Batavia, IL, or attending a Batavia school.

2027 STEAM Scholarship applications

Applications are closed for the 2026 scholarship awards. Please read our Press Release (below) regarding this year’s recipients to see the array of STEAM we support!

The BWC Scholarship program funds partial and full scholarships for day and residential camps, giving preference to first-time applicants if there are more applicants than scholarship funds available. Previous summer camps students have attended include: music, dance, theatre, science, engineering, robotics, and mathematics. All award recipients are invited (and expected) to participate in sharing back their experience at the BWC dinner meeting on the first Monday in October.

Information about the 2027 STEAM Scholarship program with a link to the application will be available after the New Year. Typically, the scholarship application process opens sometime in February and closes in late March or early April. Each student application must also have a teacher recommendation in a STEAM subject for full consideration. Scholarships are awarded in late April or early May.

Contact Britta McKenna at brittawmckenna@gmail.com to inquire about our scholarship program. Rotolo Middle School is a partner with this program, so please check with their office or Kelly Bennett, RMS staff, for information or a paper application copy.

2026 BATAVIA WOMAN’S CLUB STEAM SCHOLARSHIPS PRESS RELEASE

Batavia Woman’s Club

Penny McDowell

630-707-7827

Bwc1892@gmail.com

Batavia Woman’s Club Announces 2026 STEAM Summer Camp

Scholarship Awards

Batavia, IL, June, 2026 — The Batavia Woman’s Club (BWC) announced today the awarding of 13 summer STEAM scholarships to Batavia middle school students pursuing summer STEAM camps.

Britta McKenna, BWC Scholarship Chair, reports that 13 middle school students were awarded a total of $3,118 in full- and partial-scholarship awards for the following 2026 summer STEAM camp experiences. Camps being attended by the students include:

·       Augustana Show Choir Camp

·       Batavia Park District Robotics

·       BPS101 iFashion Middle School Fashion Camp

·       BPS101 Encore Summer Music Camp

·       College of DuPage of DuPage Stock Market camp

·       Fox Valley Youth Orchestra Summer Camp

·       Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (Engineering)

·       ISYM (Illinois Summer Music)

·       NIU Theatre Camp

·       Vanguard Gifted Academy

BWC President, Cynthia Kieckhefer elaborates, “The Club has embraced this flower-powered fundraiser for over 50 years. We sell flowers, then use the proceeds to award deserving middle school students summer STEAM camp scholarships.” Funds are raised annually by the club from its two annual fundraisers: the fall poinsettia sale and the summer flowers sale. Kieckhefer adds, “Two club members work like bookends to continue the tradition.  Jane Edmonds heads up the flower sales portion, which raises funds, and Britta McKenna heads up the Scholarship Squad that awards them.”

The Batavia Woman’s Club is a philanthropic organization dedicated to helping people in need in its community with a strong focus on the needs of women and children.  The club meets on the first Monday of the month, except January and July, at 5:15 at Enticing Cuisine in Batavia, IL.  Guests and new members are welcome! Email inquiries to bwc1892@gmail.com

Follow the BWC on Instagram and Facebook @bataviawomansclub and visit their website at bataviawomansclub.org.