Project Profile: YMCA Partnership Program-Engaging Diverse Youth in Climate Change Education and Outdoor Recreation

YMCA/NPS Youth Summer Camp participants.

NPS

Inflation Reduction Act
Restoration | FY23 - 25 $1,300,000

The YMCA and National Park Service (NPS) are launching a program designed to provide youth with a unique opportunity to connect with the national parks. This initiative leverages NPS curriculum and resources, incorporating them into YMCA summer camps. Each participating YMCA location will offer four to six weeks of camp experiences, engaging youth through recreational, educational, and volunteer service activities. With each week dedicated to a specific theme related to the Department of the Interior (DOI), this program aims to engage 100 youth aged 5-15 as program participants. Additionally, it provides leadership training and YMCA employment opportunities for youth.

Why? The YMCA-NPS Summer Camp Program aligns with the DOI’s goal to increase recreational opportunities on lands and waters managed by the DOI. This initiative also supports fostering relationships with conservation organizations advocating for balanced stewardship of public lands and expanding access to DOI lands for hunting and fishing. In some YMCA locations, the program offers a financially assisted opportunity to military youth, as well. Overall, this project will encourage youth to experience their local national parks, instilling a sense of responsibility for caring for natural and cultural resources.

What Else? The YMCA-NPS Summer Camp Program has experienced significant growth since its inception in 2015, serving over 38,508 children in four years. The program aims to increase the number of youths engaged by 15% each year, with the success measured through evaluations from program participants and its alignment with DOI goals. It is a promising initiative that bridges the gap between youth and national parks, promoting outdoor education, environmental stewardship, and recreational opportunities for a diverse range of young participants.

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About the Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act provides the National Park Service with an historic opportunity to address critical ecosystem resilience, restoration, and environmental planning needs. Projects funded in national parks represent broad-scale and impactful resource investments across every corner of our nation—from Alaska to Florida to Maine.