Expanding spring/fall programs at two camps
Girl Scouts of Western New York (GSWNY) been selected as a grantee for the groundbreaking American Camp Association Character at Camp Grant Program, a competitive national initiative supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Through the Character at Camp initiative, the American Camp Association partners with outdoor programs across the country to support the development of key character strengths in young people. As a grantee, GSWNY will further enhance its commitment to creating meaningful experiences that promote belonging, leadership, and personal growth for campers and staff.
GSWNY introduces Rising Strong: Building Courage, Confidence, and Character at Camp – a bold, three-year program to enhance GSWNY’s off-season (spring/fall) character development program rooted in ropes course programming at Camp Piperwood in Fairport and Camp Seven Hills in Holland, NY. With ACA support, this initiative will expand GSWNY’s impact by reaching more youth beyond the summer season, with a focus on engaging youth of color and families with lower incomes in outdoor leadership development programs.
“This grant from the American Camp Association is an incredible investment in the youth and communities we serve. Through the American Camp Association Character at Camp grant award, over the next three years, we will expand the power of camp beyond the summer months to build belonging, leadership, and personal growth through exciting outdoor programs. This grant award represents an important opportunity to serve more youth across Western New York and cultivate their character,”said Cara Biddlecom, CEO, Girl Scouts of WNY.
The Character at Camp initiative recognizes camps as uniquely positioned to foster positive youth development by providing:
• Research-informed character development programs
• Inclusive communities that foster a sense of belonging
• Opportunities to grow character strengths such as empathy, responsibility, and leadership
• Access to character development programs
• Meaningful service to communities and the environment
• Experiences that support leadership development and personal growth
By participating in the Character at Camp program, GSWNY joins a national network of camps working with the American Camp Association to advance best practices in character development and share what makes camp a powerful setting for youth learning and growth.
Girl Scouts of Western New York (GSWNY) serves girls and adult volunteers across its jurisdiction, including Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, and Wyoming counties. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410. To learn more about the Character at Camp initiative, visit ACAcamps.org.
Provided information and photo
