It was then that The Colorado Children's Campaign released Kids Count!, an annual report on the status of children.Kids Count documented and analyzed an alarming increase in childhood poverty in the state of Colorado.

The study's disturbing results included that, from 2000 to 2006, there was a 73% increase in the number of Colorado children living in poverty- the largest increase in the country. About 180,000 Colorado children live in desperate economic conditions, an experience that could have a lasting effect on their lives. The study also noted that the increase spans across racial and ethnic lines and is urban, suburban and rural.

Children living in poverty are more likely to fall behind in school, stay behind and to drop out. They are more likely to be hospitalized for treatable diseases. And, poor kids are seven times more likely to be victims of abuse or neglect. There is no simple cause. And, no simple solution.

Immediately following the release of the report, Lt. Governor Barbara O'Brien called on the citizens of Colorado to pull together to address this shocking problem, declaring that government cannot do it alone. The Boulder-based Anthony H. Kruse Foundation heard that call and answered quickly.

As a resultof the Foundation's funding, 50 Boulder County low-income children are being provided with a 7-week, full-day sports and academic enrichment program this summer. "It's a thrill for us to make this both a fun and academically rewarding time for so many of our local kids whose families don't have the financial resources in this very tough economic climate," stated George B. Boedecker, Jr., entrepreneur and founder of the AHK Foundation. "We see sponsoring this camp as our way of playing a part in addressing the negative impact of Colorado's ever increasing issue of childhood poverty".

Through a collaboration between Boulder's Family Learning Center and BOLD (Building On Life's Disappointments), elementary, middle and high school students will spend their mornings participating in a variety of sports training programs that include soccer, basketball, football, volleyball, track and field, tennis and golf. An all-star lineup of former University of Colorado athletes and coaches have teamed up to serve as Sports Camp instructors to provide students with physical fitnesstraining and teach the principles of teamwork and the fundamentals of athletic movement.

Afternoons are filled with instruction in academics, including reading, writing, critical thinking, character building, and career exploration along with a host of fun child centered activities. Children are also provided daily instruction on good nutrition and how to make healthy eating choices within their family's limited food budgets. High students focus on earning academic credit through the Family Learning Center's partnership with the Boulder Valley School District.

Boedecker goes on to add that, "Lt. Governor O'Brien stated that 'the cost of doing nothing is unacceptable'. The AHK Foundation takes this problem quite seriously. We commit to continuing to finding ways to do something".