To Serve Youth from Underrepresented Communities as Part of St. Paul Connecting Children to Nature Initiative.
More than 150 campers will experience nature thanks to the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, the Let’s MOVE! Outside Initiative, the Children & Nature Network and the National League of Cities.
St. Paul, MN – The YMCA of the North, a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, will partner with the City of St. Paul and the National Park Service to host a new day camp at Hidden Falls Regional Park as part of the St. Paul Connecting Children to Nature Initiative.
More than 150 campers from underrepresented communities will experience nature thanks to support from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, the Let’s MOVE! Outside Initiative, the Children & Nature Network and the National League of Cities. Youth will come from the St. Paul Eastside YMCA, the Salvation Army, Hancock Recreation Center and Hallie Q. Brown Community Center. Activities for the week will include nature hikes, fort building, fishing, arts and crafts, environmental education, camp games, canoeing, climbing and more.
“This partnership at Hidden Falls Regional Park demonstrates that you don’t need to leave St. Paul to be connected to nature,” said St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. “It reflects the city’s commitment to creating equitable access to parkland and recreational activities, and will allow St. Paul youth to paddle the Mississippi River and explore the outdoors right in their own backyard.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with the City of St. Paul and the National Park Service to provide this opportunity to youth in our community,” said Glen Gunderson, president and CEO of the YMCA of the North. “Camp gives kids the chance to engage in meaningful outdoor experiences away from TV and computer screens that help them build confidence and make new friends.”
WHO:
YMCA, City of St. Paul and the National Park Service with support from the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, Let’s MOVE! Outside Initiative, the Children & Nature Network and the National League of Cities
WHAT:
Hidden Falls Day Camp
WHERE:
Hidden Falls Regional Park at 1313 Hidden Falls Drive in St. Paul, MN 55116
WHEN:
Monday, July 31 – Friday, August 4 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Activities every day: Nature play and hikes, arts and crafts, environmental and waste education from the City of St. Paul and the National Park Service
Additional activities on specific days:
Climbing Wall – Monday, July 31 and Wednesday, August 2
Canoeing – Thursday, August 3 and Friday, August 4
Fishing (MinnAqua Program through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources) – Tuesday, August 1, Wednesday, August 2, Thursday, August 3 and Friday, August 4
About the YMCA of the North
The YMCA of the North is a leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Established 161 years ago, the Ys provide life-strengthening services across 12 counties of the greater Twin Cities metro region and western Wisconsin communities. The 28 Y locations and program sites, seven overnight camps, 10 day camps, and more than 90 child care sites engage more than 350,000 men, women and children of all ages, incomes and backgrounds. To learn more about the Y’s mission and work, visit www.ymcamn.org.