DEC Environmental Education Camps Diversity Initiative 2005

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DEC Environmental Education CampsDiversity
Initiative 2005

• The Challenge
• DEC recognizes that urban youth often do not have
  the opportunity to actively enjoy the wonders of
  the natural world.
• Our Goal
• To increase the diversify of DEC
  environmental education camps.
• Outcome
• Significant increases in the diversity of 2005
  campers and staff.

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DEC Summer Youth Camps
Colby
Pack Forest Rushford
DeBruce

All participated in the DEC Diversity Initiative
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Reaching Out

• Developed colorful and kid-friendly promotional
  materials
• Camp Display Boards
• Brochures
• Posters
• Book Marks
• Banners
• Videos

DEC staff recruiting at Inwood Hills Nature
Center in New York City
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Recruiting Posters
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Other Promotional Material
Colorful and Informative Brochures
Book Marks
Spanish Language Brochures
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We were enthusiastic about giving these
camperssome new experiences and activities and
tryingto make sure that they enjoyed them.

2005 Camp Counselor
Summer Camp Staff Embrace Diversity Initiative
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Staff members of color integrated into the camp
program
The Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program
instituted this year will develop qualified
counselors for future years.
Etsuko Rucker(right) was CIT at Pack Forest,
shown here with Melissa Chincilla, a recent ESF
graduate and a first-time camper from the Bronx
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Capital District Campers participate in Martin
Luther King Parade January, 2005
Pre-Camp Activities
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Connecting Urban Youth with the Natural
Environment
Stewardship clean-up at Tivoli Lake
Trees are assets to our community and deserve
the best possible care. 2005
Camp Colby Recruit
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Environmental Stewardship Tivoli Preserve Spring
Cleaning Project
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Crew planted 60 trees in 60 minutes as part of a
national effort to set a new world record for
most trees planted in one hour.
Arbor Day Tree Planting Camp DeBruce
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Strengthening Their Connection to Nature.

• Becoming stewards of natural resources

Recruit working with Camp DeBruce operations
crew member
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New Experiences for Youth with Special Needs
Kione on Clearwater
Camp DeBruce recruit from Mental Health
Association of Dutchess County touring Stony Kill
Farm Education Center
Pack Forest recruit on the sloop Clearwater
during fall sail on the Hudson River
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Kayaking Clinic at Pack Forest
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Capital District and Urban Park Ranger camp
recruits meet at The Gates after a youth
development day at Inwood Hills Nature Center
Field Trip to NYC Central Park
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It has been wonderful for the staff to see the
urban-based campers come to enjoy an experience
so different from that of their daily lives.

2005 Camp
Counselor
At Camp Safety, Fun, Learning
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New Experiences, New Friends
Counselor working with young man at DeBruce
Making new friends
not like the swimming pool at the Y
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It is our expectation that some of these youth
will one day seek higher education and careers in
environmental fields.
2005 Camp Director
Expanding Campers Thinking and Goals
Town Hall meeting at Pack Forest
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Learning about Natural Resources
Camper from Rochester night fishing at Camp
Rushford
Aquatic study at Pack Forest
Field ecology classroom at Camp DeBruce
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Hunter Safety At Camp
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Post-Camp Activities
Environmental education staff lead campers in
post-camp activities throughout the fall, winter
and spring. These campers develop the skills and
interest to serve as role models and mentors for
future DEC campers.
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Pack Forest Alumnae Sail the Hudson for Three Days
Two chaperones and 13 campers aboard the sloop
Clearwater.
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Young Women at the HelmOn board the Clearwater
sloop
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Going Beyond Offering Just Camperships
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An All-Boys "Ed-Venture"
Hiking Overlook Mountain Trail
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This hike was great! The view from the fire
tower was breathtaking! Exploring the ruins of
Overlook Mountain House was totally cool also.


2005 Camp Colby Alumni
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College Tours
Paul Smiths College
As part of post-camp activities, campers tour
colleges and explore different careers by
visiting businesses and agencies.
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The Media Takes Notice
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Interviewed by News Channel 10
RaShawn Hoke and Janee Holloman, graduates of
Pack Forest, were featured in a piece by the ABC
affiliate in July
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Investing in Future Environmental Leaders