YMCA of the USA Play, Learn, Serve, Work Summer Camp Program Grant by the Department of Youth Development

The participating Ys include Atlanta, Miami (South Florida), Boston, New York, Washington DC, Minneapolis-St. Paul (Twin Cities), St. Louis, Estes Park, Los Angeles, San Francisco.

The primary purpose of this agreement is to engage individuals between the ages of
6 and 35 years of age in recreational, educational, volunteer service and employment opportunities in national park sites and affiliated areas. Accordingly, the partnership will develop a new generation of natural and cultural resource conservation stewards

The program is also designed to inspire young adults and veterans (21-35 years old) from diverse backgrounds who are service focus to aspire for careers in the National Park Service through exposure to the many difference career and leadership developmental opportunities. We will ensure that we provide the necessary training, career development and education for program participates to be effective and supported in their role.

YMCA camping and youth programming is an active and life-changing youth development experience, part of the Social-Emotional, Cognitive, and Physical process that all youth uniquely experience from birth to career. A successful development process fulfills children and teens’ innate need to be loved, spiritually grounded, educated, competent, and healthy. This is supported at camps every day by the intentional efforts of individuals who through motivation, active engagement, enriching activities, and healthy relationships foster the skills needed for successful living. The impact that day camps have on youth development is important and with lasting experiences. In typical YMCA camp programs, youth under 16 years old are camp program participants, while youth 16-18 years old may be participating in leadership development programs or counseling training programs. Most staff at YMCA camps will be 18 years or older.