Girl Scouts of WNY receives American Camp Association 'Character at Camp' award

‘Rising Strong: Building Courage, Confidence, and Character at Camp,’ a 3-year program for offseason ropes course character development program at Camp Piperwood & Camp Seven Hills

Girl Scouts of Western New York Press Release & Photo

Girl Scouts of Western New York has 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 has introduced “Rising Strong: Building Courage, Confidence, and Character at Camp,” a bold, three-year program to enhance GSWNY’s offseason (spring/fall) character development program rooted in ropes course programming at Camp Piperwood in Fairport and Camp Seven Hills in Holland. 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 income in outdoor leadership development programs.

“This grant from the American Camp Association is an incredible investment in the youth and communities we serve,” said Cara Biddlecom, CEO of Girl Scouts of WNY. “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 to more youth across Western New York and cultivate their character.”

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; and

•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.

Registration for GSWNY summer camp is now open. For more information about Girl Scouts of WNY or to register your child for summer camp, visit www.gswny.org/summercamp. To learn more about the “Character at Camp” initiative, visit www.ACAcamps.org.

Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To volunteer, reconnect, donate or join, visit www.gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410.