Youth Leaders for Sustainability Camp

2012 YLS CAMP

• What is YLS Camp?
• What to Expect
• Camp Schedule
• Apply to be a Camper
• Apply to be a Summer Intern

What is YLS Camp?

YLS camp is a week-­long day camp for 25 exceptional students who will be entering 6^th, 7^th & 8^th grades in the fall of 2012. Over the course of the week YLS camp will focus on different concepts of sustainability based around this year’s theme of WATER! Campers will learn about local water systems, how their everyday choices are connected to water, and ways that they can protect our water resources. We will take field trips to Bull Run Water Reservoir, go kayaking, explore Portland’s unique water features and wetlands, and take a trip to the Oregon Coast. This year’s YLS camp will be a Mountain to Sea Adventure!  Curriculum will correlate to Oregon’s education standards, Portland State University’s Climate Action Plan goals, and the City of Portland’s Climate Action Plan goals.

 At the 2012 YLS Camp, campers can expect:

• Engaging lessons that place the camper at the heart of our regional water system. Lessons will be based on excursions to natural and built water resources, including rivers, reservoirs and wetlands.
• Personal Development and Leadership Capacity Building. Campers will gain new skills to demonstrate the concepts of watershed stewardship to peers, family and their community.
• An opportunity to present a sustainable watershed enhancement project. Based on the lessons learned throughout the week, campers will engage in a service learning project and present personal actions plans for sustainability to camp sponsors and family members.

Orientation & Camp Schedule

This year, our camp itinerary is packed with fun and engaging field trips and leadership opportunities.

Orientation will be on Saturday, August 4^th from 10am to 12pm – We'll give a run-through of the camp schedule, engage in an introduction on Portland water, talk about how to have a good camp experience, and fill out medical forms/answer questions. Attendance is required for campers and parents.

Camp week will be Monday-Friday, August 13^th-17^th from 9am-4pm. Drop-off and pick-up will be at Portland State University, at the Urban Planning Building.

*Wednesday we will be traveling to the Oregon coast for the Marine Discovery Estuary Tour, and staying the night for camping on the coast. Camping gear will be provided, and adults will be present at all times. On Thursday we will return to Portland in the morning, and hold a day of camp as usual.*

How to Apply:

Step 1: Teachers and youth mentors nominate students who stand out as leaders in their community and are interested in creating a more sustainable world.

Step 2: Students and parents complete the camper application and parent information forms:

• Camper Application
• Parent Information Form

Step 3: Return these forms to either the teacher/mentor who nominated you or to the address below by May 25^th:

YLS Camp

Portland State University

College of Urban and Public Affairs

Office of the Dean

P.O. Box 751

Portland, Oregon 97207-0751

We are accepting 25 students to partake in this year's week-long camp. Invitations to join the camp will be mailed directly to the 25 campers who are selected in May and June. Details, including times, locations, and logistics will be sent to all campers who accept a camp invitation. Students not selected for this year's camp will also receive a letter in June, and will be encouraged to submit an application for the following year.

Youth Leaders for Sustainability is seeking summer interns

Youth Leaders for Sustainability (YLS) currently has two internship openings for college students to participate as counselors in the YLS Camp held August 13-17^th, 2012. 

YLS will be offering the 4^th annual YLS Camp for Portland middle school youth to partake in a week of ecological exploration and leadership skills enhancement.

YLS interns will have the opportunity to work directly with YLS directors, including College of Urban and Planning Affairs staff, OSU Extension Service 4-H staff, as well as a diverse group of active youth from various Portland demographics.  YLS interns need to have an interest in education, social equity, youth empowerment and engagement in sustainability. 

YLS interns will work directly with Camp directors, acting as counselors and role models for 25 middle school students during Camp week.  The Camp is held from 9 am – 4 pm the week of August 13-17^th, plus an overnight camp-out along the Oregon Coast on the night of August 15^th.   Counselors are requested to arrive at PSU at 8:30 each day.  All other transportation and meals are provided.

The camp itinerary guarantees interns a great time! 

Monday- Introduction to Urban Water Systems; tours of Portland watershed features and leadership activities

Tuesday- Watershed Stewardship & Drinking Water:  Guided tour of Bull Run Reservoir in the Mt. Hood Forest

Wednesday- Introduction to Estuary Ecology, Marine biology, and camp-out

Thursday- Marine Discoveries Estuary Tour in Newport & other programmatic activities

Friday- Presentation of Sustainability Action Plans to Camp Partners in Portland.

YLS interns will also have the opportunity to continue working with YLS and 4-H through the YLS Club, which is open to youth camper alumni.  YLS Club meets monthly during the school year, providing continued guidance and advice to youth as they promote sustainability in their home schools.

For more information: email SustainabilityCamp@pdx.edu or call YLS Camp director, Kate Williams at (305) 484 2432.

YLS Camp is presented by Oregon State University's 4-H Extension Service, Portland State University's College of Urban and Public Affairs, and Law Firm Schwabe, Williamson and Wyatt.