Camp Blodgett

THROUGH EXCEPTIONAL SUMMER CAMP AND YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS, CAMP BLODGETT'S MISSION IS TO EMPOWER YOUTH IN WEST MICHIGAN THROUGH EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES THAT PROMOTE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, ENCOURAGE ACADEMIC SUCCESS, AND SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTHY SELF-ESTEEM.

RESIDENTIAL SUMMER CAMP: FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR CAMPERS DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE CHOSE TO LIMIT PARTICIPATION TO 50% OF OUR STANDARD CAPACITY. 204 CHILDREN AGES 8-13 ATTENDED ONE OF FOUR 5-DAY SESSIONS. 71% OF THOSE CAMPERS PAID $40 OR LESS TO ATTEND AND 64% LIVED AT OR BELOW THE USDA POVERTY LEVEL. CHILDREN TOOK PART IN ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, SWIMMING, BIKING, HIKING, ARCHERY, ADVENTURE COURSE ACTIVITIES, READING, ARTS AND CRAFTS AND MUCH MORE. GOALS OF THE CAMP ARE BOTH SHORT- AND LONG-TERM. YOUTH SERVED WILL INITIALLY HAVE A SAFE AND CONSTRUCTIVE PLACE TO SPEND A WEEK; THEY WILL LEARN LIFE SKILLS SUCH AS POSITIVE DECISION-MAKING AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR; AND THEY WILL HAVE AN AWARENESS OF THEIR OWN ABILITIES AND ASSETS. IN THE LONGER TERM, PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE INCREASED SELF-ESTEEM, WILL HAVE INCREASED RESPECT FOR OTHERS, AND WILL DEMONSTRATE IMPROVEMENTS IN SCHOOL SUCH AS BETTER GRADES AND ATTENDANCE. OFF-SEASON USE OF THE CAMP FACILITY INCLUDED 55 INDIVIDUAL, CHURCH, SCHOOL, AND OTHER GROUPS.

CAMP BLODGETT STEM ACADEMY: 42 CHILDREN ENTERING 5TH THROUGH 8TH GRADES ATTENDED THIS 4-WEEK SUMMER PROGRAM. PARTICIPANTS HAD THREE HOURS OF ACADEMICS (FOCUSING ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH) TAUGHT USING EXPERIENTIAL, HANDS-ON INVOLVEMENT AND INNOVATIVE METHODS. FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY, PARTICIPANTS ENJOYED TRADITIONAL CAMP ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SWIMMING, ARCHERY, AND WORKSHOPS. THE GOAL OF STEM ACADEMY IS TO PROVIDE VULNERABLE CHILDREN WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVERSE THE EFFECTS OF SUMMER LEARNING LOSS AND REALIZE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. YEAR-ROUND STEM PROGRAMMING INCLUDES STEM SQUAD SATURDAYS, AFTER-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND A ROBOTICS CLUB; ALL OF WHICH FEATURE STEM ACTIVITIES THAT ARE SKILL-BUILDING AND FUN.

YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS: DESIGNED TO MAINTAIN POSITIVE CONNECTIONS WITH CAMPERS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS CONSIST PRIMARILY OF SATURDAY DAY CAMPS WHICH FOCUS ON TEAM-BUILDING ENRICHMENT, ARTS AND CRAFTS, CAMP SONGS AND GAMES, AND MORE.

YOUNG LEADERS: 111 HIGH SCHOOL TEENS PARTICIPATED IN VARIOUS LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND OUTDOOR ADVENTURES WHICH FOCUSED ON BUILDING LIFE SKILLS, EXPOSURE TO POST-HIGH SCHOOL LEARNING AND CAREER OPTIONS, AND INSPIRING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND YOUTH SERVICE.