YELC begins with an immersive summer program for students entering the 6th or 7th grade in the coming Fall*, where youth will be connected with nature, how humans impact the environment, environmental and other careers, and will participate in hands-on activities. Small groups of 15 campers will attend a one-week camp M-F from 8:30am-5:30pm. The day starts and ends at the Splash Science Center, located at 4426 Excelsior Road, in Mather, CA.
After the immersive camp week, the campers will participate in at least two volunteer events with identified partner organizations during July-November, to deliver a positive impact within their community – things like tree plantings and creek cleanups. A schedule of opportunities will be provided. Campers will also run a personal fundraising campaign for one of the organizations**, with a $40 minimum goal. Campers will present to their peers in December, about their experience.
YELC will lay the foundation for an on-going, youth-led movement to conserve energy and protect air, water, and ecosystems from the impacts of urban life.
*Prior year campers are not eligible to participate in this program again.
**Splash will not be an eligible recipient of these fundraising campaigns.
WHAT WILL CAMPERS LEARN?
During the week-long camp, each day will cover topics related to:
- Climate Change / Air Quality
- Energy & Transportation
- Water
- Food Production / Consumption / Waste Management
- Land Use / Natural Habitats
- Project Management
The campers visit local sites for guided tours and experiences related to the topics listed above. Campers will sample and collect data, gain experience using some of the tools and materials that scientists and engineers use in their work, as well as participate in hands-on activities at the Splash Science Center.
Campers will get the chance to engage with professional environmental scientists, engineers, social scientists, and environmental protection activists to learn about their careers and what they did in order to work in specific fields of expertise.
HELPING YOUR COMMUNITY!
Campers will participate in at least two volunteer events with identified partner organizations during July-November, to deliver a positive impact within their community – things like tree plantings and creek cleanups. A schedule of opportunities will be provided. Campers will also run a personal fundraising campaign for one of the organizations (not Splash), with a $40 minimum goal. Campers will present to their peers in December, about their experience.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Students entering 6th and 7th grades in the coming Fall* who already have some interest in the environment or natural habitats and are interested in growing their knowledge through hands-on learning would make great YELC’rs!
Check out these short videos showing the campers havING a blast learning and just being kids!
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS
What do campers need?
- Lunch
- Sunscreen already applied
- Water shoes and swim suit/water play clothes at least for Water Day (we’ll let you know if others)
What do we provide?
In addition to the experience,
- FUN
- All Program Materials
- Transportation to all field excursions
- Backpack, refillable water bottle, and more!
What does it cost?
It may be hard to believe, but this program is FREE for campers! Thanks to our generous sponsors and donors, we are able to provide this program at no cost to participants. For this reason, Splash will emphasize recruiting campers from groups that are underrepresented in the outdoors and STEM.
Special thanks to these organizations for funding this program!
When is the camp?
Campers will attend one of the weeks in June.
Specific dates to be announced in March’24.
how can we apply?
- Parents/Guardians with Prospective Campers* – Please check back in mid-March 2024, subscribe to our newsletter, or follow us on facebook or instagram to be informed when the 2024 applications are open and hear about all the Splash news, year-round!
- Prospective Campers – make a commitment to be an active participant in all aspects of the Program.
*Prior year campers are not eligible to participate in this program again.
Splash will let parents know by the end of April if their child’s application has been accepted and, if so, for which camp week their child is registered.