Animal Based Summer Camp · Web viewAs a member of the greater YMCA corporation, the YMCA of the...
Transcript of Animal Based Summer Camp · Web viewAs a member of the greater YMCA corporation, the YMCA of the...
Animal Based Summer Camp
Elizabeth Canupp, Mary Janousek, Jenny Rodgers & Becky Williams
Clemson University
The following program plan outlines a summer camp focusing on animals that will
utilize the resources that are currently in place through the YMCA of the Rockies. This
animal-based summer camp will focus on incorporating human to animal interactions
into the vast list of programs already being offered. From the following information, it
will be evident as to why an animal based summer camp will add to the programs
already being offered at the YMCA of the Rockies.
Agency Description
The YMCA of the Rockies, a nonprofit branch of the greater YMCA corporation,
considers three different locations as home in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains: Estes Park
Center, Snow Mountain Ranch, and Camp Chief Ouray. The Estes Park Center is
located between Rocky Mountain National Park and the town of Estes Park, Colorado
on over 860 acres of pristine property. It is normal to see an abundance of elk, deer,
and other wildlife. On the Estes Park Center location, there are many different
accommodations available, such as lodge rooms, family cabins, and large cabins that
have six to sixteen bedrooms (YMCA, 2014). Once on site, individuals have the
opportunity to engage in a multitude of activities, such as swimming, mini-golf, hiking,
sand volleyball, crafts, and more.
Additionally, the Snow Mountain Ranch location is perfect for winter escapes,
offering more than sixty miles of trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The
Ranch is located twelve miles north of Winter Park, Colorado and sits on 5,100 acres of
land (YMCA, 2014). Accommodations include cabins, lodge rooms, campgrounds, and
yurts, which are all available to rent throughout the year. In the summer, this location
offers guests the opportunity to rock climb, hike, build crafts, and bike.
Finally, the last location of the YMCA of the Rockies is Camp Chief Ouray, which
is a traditional overnight summer camp for girls and boys ages seven to seventeen.
This camp occupies the same space as Snow Mountain Ranch, but it is located on a
secluded area of the property (YMCA, 2014). The camp offers traditional camp
activities, such as craft projects, archery, mountain biking, and hiking.
While there are three different locations, the YMCA of the Rockies uses one
mission and vision for all. The YMCA of the Rockies focuses on Christian principles
and looks to place those principles into practice through the programs, staff, and
facilities that are offered on their sites. They focus on using the environment to build
people who are healthy in mind, body, and spirit (YMCA, 2014). Their core values
include: caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and faith. As a member of the greater
YMCA corporation, the YMCA of the Rockies also follows three areas of focus: youth
development, healthy living, and social responsibility (YMCA, 2014).
To promote youth development, the YMCA of the Rockies offers programs that
help engage kids and provide growth opportunities for them as well. No matter the
location, youth have the opportunity to make friends and to connect with counselors in a
healthy and safe environment. The YMCA also promotes healthy living by offering
miles of trails for hiking, biking, trail running, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Finally, the YMCA of the Rockies helps promote social responsibility by offering
numerous community opportunities. The YMCA utilizes more than 50,000 hours of
volunteer service a year, hosts more than 2,500 outdoor education students, and
focuses on sustainability and recycling programs (YMCA, 2014). The mission and
vision of the YMCA of the Rockies is visible in each program that they offer its’
participants.
On average, the three locations serve over 250,000 visitors annually. Each year, the
YMCA hosts more than 800 family reunions, 180,000 family vacationers, 1,200
conferences, 300 military families, and 2,000 Camp Chief Ouray campers (YMCA,
2014). In addition, it offers employment to 900 full-time and seasonal staff, and it is a
major asset to the surrounding communities. While there is a discount for YMCA
members, nonmembers can also enjoy the programs and accommodations offered at
the YMCA of the Rockies. Some of the activities and programs offered include:
Teen programs of varying lengths
o (Adventure camps, backpacking, teen nights)
A drive on Trail Ridge Road
Professional Photography
Chapel Ministry
Yoga
Whitewater Rafting
Swimming
Snowshoeing
SummerFest Concert Series
Roller Skating
Outdoor rock climbing wall
Mini golf
Massage
Library
Indoor Activities
Ice Skating
Horseback riding
Hiking
Game room
Fishing and Fly Fishing
Craft and Design Center
Challenge courses
Campfires
Basketball and Volleyball
Archery
Adventure Activities (zipline, ropes course, etc.)
Disc Golf
And more!
The YMCA of the Rockies is a great example of an organization that is helping
create opportunities for youth and families to experience the natural environment in a
safe, healthy way.
Needs Assessment / Rationale
While the YMCA of the Rockies offers a significant number of programs for
youth, it does not offer an opportunity for youth to engage in an animal based program.
With the surrounding wildlife and natural environment, it would be beneficial for youth
and for the families who visit the YMCA of the Rockies to engage in this type of animal
based programming. Traditionally, the YMCA does not offer programs that are animal
based; yet, research in youth development indicates that animal based programs
actually make a positive impact on youth of all ages from young childhood to adulthood
(Mueller, 2014).
In general, positive youth development programs increase the levels of
confidence caring, connection, character, and competence in youth (Mueller, 2014), all
of which the YMCA of the Rockies aims to build in the youth that visit. Attaining these
outcomes can have a great effect on youth as they transition into adulthood. Animal
based programs add to positive youth development programs.
Throughout history, humans have made connections and developed
relationships with animals for a variety of reasons, including working purposes, food
sources, companionship, hunting, assistance to disabled humans, etc. (Mueller, 2014).
Animal interaction is linked to an overall increase in mental health, self-regulation skills,
social skills, and physical health and fitness (Mueller, 2014). The link between animal
interaction and these benefits align with the overall mission and vision of the YMCA of
the Rockies, making an animal based summer program a great opportunity for growth.
Furthermore, a potential outcome that youth can gain from animal contact is
purpose. Purpose is defined as “a stable and generalized intention to accomplish
something that is at once meaningful to the self and consequential for the world beyond
the self” (Damon, 2008, p. 33). The growth of this idea of purpose in adolescents has
been linked to the nurturing, care, and interaction with animals, which indicates the
importance of an animal program at the YMCA.
By having animals at the YMCA of the Rockies, the YMCA will be able to add to
their philosophy of youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Animals
will help youth develop social skills, as they help act as social facilitators, and they will
help youth learn to recognize how their actions can have an impact on animals and the
environments in which they live (Mueller, 2014). The animal based program will only
add to the overall mission and philosophy of the YMCA, and visitors with youth will
benefit from this program as well.
NAME OF PROGRAM/PROJECT:
ANIMAL BASED SUMMER CAMP AT YMCA OF THE ROCKIES
GOALS:
Improvement of participant self-efficacy through learning about, showing, and maintenance without the large inputs normally necessary in livestock projects Participant’s greater connection to nature through time spent in the outdoors.
OBJECTIVES:
80% filled to capacity with a 5% growth every year after. 100% participation in all activities. All activities are by-choice so there are many options for participation.
INPUTSOUTPUTS OUTCOMES
Activities Participants Short-term Mid-range Impacts
Staff to teach in conventional classroom & outside of the classroom. Trail ride leaders trained in first aid.
Classroom-type meeting location.
Arena to learn basic animal handling & riding skills.
Barn, livestock handling & grooming equipment.
Various livestock species. Workbooks, papers, &
activities for participants. Vehicle transportation 1 weeks of intense
programming with a capstone show for friends & family.
Classroom meetings with interactive smartboard labeling & diagraming of animals.
Active learning strategies to increase participation & unity within the group.
Mini-shows Mini-clinics on
animal care & handling
Daily trail rides on horseback as well as archery & other outdoor sports to supplement learning.
Youth ages 6-17 from the local area & throughout the U.S. with a new thirst for knowledge & investment in the livestock industry as well as a new knowledge & investment in themselves.
Knowledgeable instructors who are able to build youth up through livestock.
Animal handling skills improvement
Knowledge of the livestock industries expanded
Interest in livestock piqued & followed up on in future camp sessions.
Group skills through working with other to prepare & show animals.
Connections with adult role models who can be mentors.
Continued volunteer and job opportunities
Connection to future and past members of the camp to share experiences & advice.
Increased awareness of the livestock industry
Increased awareness of nature & increased time spent in nature to help improve both physical & mental health.
Proponents for agriculture Higher self-efficacy through management
of livestock & communion with nature. Ability to think about a bring other than
themselves & how they can affect the life of this being for the better (whether human, animal, or other)
EVALUATION:
Followup surveys with participants and parents. Evaluation of participants who do and do not return to improve future programs. Evaluation of individual activities to determine effectiveness in the program as a whole.
Logic Model Continued
As stated in the Needs Assessment & Rationale “positive youth development programs
increase the levels of confidence caring, connection, character, and competence in youth (Mueller,
2014).” More than 10 million children attend sleep-away or day camps every year with positive strides
made in adventure/exploration, independence, making friend, positive identity, leadership, and peer
relationship (Henderson et.al., 2007). Among these changes environmentally related summer camps
can increase feelings of connection with the natural world as well as stimulate greater interest in
future recreation experiences in nature (Dresner, 1994).
Self-efficacy is a common focus of Equine Assisted Therapy (Geddes, 2010) and other animal
species could be of use as well. In this animal based summer camp students will be able to work with
both large and small livestock and learn how to control and care for them, something outside
themselves.
The activities in this project consist of quite a bit of group work but also self-reflection and
individual work. Research has shown that a mixture of both team and individual work is the best way
to help participants retain information and also grow as a person (Prince, 2004). Activities will range
from labeling parts of an animal in the classroom to helping feed and groom animals on a farm as well
as trail rides and fun animal related games and general outdoor related fun like kayaking, hiking, and
archery. Likely, this camp will need a few iterations before it is perfected and the desired results are
achieved but even in the early group’s self-efficacy, an awareness of the livestock industry, and an
increased enjoyment of nature is a key goal.
Target Audience
The Animal Based Summer Camp at YMCA of the Rockies is targeted for
children and youth ranging in age from 6-17. Its main purpose is to improve the youth’s
level of self-efficacy though learning about, showing and maintaining livestock without
large inputs normally necessary in livestock projects.
Outside of the immediate target audience of the youth going through the
program, this camp is designed to attract the attention of the parents of these youth,
community members and also those working in the livestock industry to make a
statement that these large inputs are not necessary. By educating these youth on the
previously mentioned principles and methods, a domino effect of knowledge is expected
to take place to educate the next generation of livestock advocates and professionals.
Marketing Plan
Product
The Animal Based Summer Camp is designed as a tool to educate and progress
a youth’s awareness and self-efficacy about livestock without requiring such large
unecessary use of resources.
Price
Established by the YMCA of the Rockies pricing plan, the cost of camp is $15 per
day plus a $40 riding fee to Jackson Stables or Sombrero Ranches for a 1 hour
horseback or pony ride and access to the petting farm and stables. Additionally, need-
based scholarships are also available for program participants.
Promotion
The camp’s goal is to raise awareness and resources necessary for program
sustainability and positive participant outcomes. To achieve this goal, the program will
utilize the YMCA of the Rockies’ social media accounts including Facebook, Twitter,
Instagram, Blog and YouTube channel. Promotion through emails, electronic
newsletters and the Annual Support Campaign will be sent to YMCA employees and
members, as well as to community leaders and partners including local and regional
Chambers of Commerce. Flyers and posters with program specific information will be
made available at local and regional YMCA locations, public schools, libraries,
veterinary clinics, and Outdoor Expos, as well as the YMCA of the Rockies’ booths in
county and state fair exhibitions.
Place
The camp will utilize two of the YMCA of the Rockies’ locations. Estes Park
Center is situated at an elevation of 8010 feet on over 860 acres of Colorado’s Rocky
Mountains, 65 miles Northwest of Denver and three miles Southwest of Estes Park.
Snow Mountain Ranch sits at approximately 9000 feet above sea level in Granby,
Colorado which is 90 miles from Denver and is located on more than 5200 acres of
forested beauty.
Budget
YMCA of the Rockies12/31/14 Annual Budget
Animal Based Summer CampEstimated Budget
Revenue & Support Fee Income Staff for Kids
Fundraising Campaign Spirit Society (will and
estate donations) Cabin Donors Capital Gifts Memorial and
Honorarium Gifts Annual Giving
Fee Income Staff for Kids Fundraising
Campaign Annual Giving
Estes Park Center Program Services
$22,687,650 $15 daily rate per participant (classroom instruction and activities)$40 riding fee per participant
Snow Mountain Ranch Program Services
$10,146,768 $15 daily rate per participant (classroom instruction and activities)$40 riding fee per participant
Contributions $6,544,613Membership Dues $1,658,226Investment Income $434,403
Total $41,542,673Expenses
Estes Park Center Program Services
$17,514,666 $9.16 (percentage of staff salary per hour, per staff member)
Snow Mountain Ranch Program Services
$9,048,663 $9.16 (percentage of staff salary per hour, per staff member)
Depreciation $4,437,044Supporting Services $3,374,990 $40 riding fee per participant
(Jackson Stables)$40 riding fee per participant (Sombrero Ranches)$186.49 (classroom curriculum)
Fund Raising $544,139 $3000 (printing and postage)Forestry $47,734Loss on Disposal of Asset $13,879
Total $36,879,366Increase in Assets $4,663,307
Fig. 1 YMCA of the Rockies 2014 Annual Report
Resources
Fortunately, the YMCA of the Rockies is a well-established organization with a
plethora of existing resources with which the Animal Based Summer Camp can utilize
including:
Vetted and Trained Staff
Facilities
Estes Park Center
Snow Mountain Ranch
Colorado Conference Centers Meeting Rooms & Equipment
Transportation
YMCA Vans with existing liability insurance and participant paperwork
National YMCA Advertising and Fundraising Campaigns
Annual Support Campaign
Staff for Kids Fundraising Campaign
Existing Social Media and Outreach
YMCA of the Rockies Website
YouTube Channel
Visitor Planning Guides
YMCA of the Rockies’ Blog
Visitor Planning Guides
Supporting Services Relationships, Supplies & Equipment
Jackson Stables
Sombrero Ranches
Livestock
Animal Handling/Grooming Equipment
Diversity
Often, when diversity is mentioned the first thing that comes to mind is a variation
in race, however, a variety in ability is also a key part of diversity. An increased number
of summer camps are becoming integrated for youth with disabilities and those without.
The importance of these youth being included just as important to these youth as it is to
those without disabilities and sometimes has an even larger impact on youth with
disabilities (Goodwin, 2005). We will have specially trained staff to assist youth with
certain disabilities ranging from autism to physical challenges. There are groups such
as The Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EGALA) that specifically
focus and are trained to assist youth with disabilities through equine activities.
In 2010, 43 percent of all American young people were minorities. Because of
this distribution and increasing racial tension, tolerance and acceptance, is a skill and
value needed in today’s youth (Johnson, 2010). To help increase diversity and teach
participants tolerance and acceptance minorities will be encouraged to attend the
camps through work with regional urban clubs and organizations as well as making
scholarships available for youth of lower socio-economic status.
Evaluation Plan
Most of the evaluation used for this camp would be based on qualitative research
because it is hard to quantify the changes that we are looking for in participants. Of
course, we would use a satisfaction-based survey to ensure that even while learning
both parents and participants are satisfied with the program. This will ensure future
participants and spreading the word of the program.
Based on the evaluation lecture from week 5 of this class, the retrospective
pretest would probably be one of the best ways to ensure growth in self-efficacy and
appreciation of nature and livestock. It has been shown that traditional pretest-posttest
comparisons resulted in an underestimation of the program effects that would be
negated with the use of a retrospective pretest (Pratt, 2000).
References
Antoniewicz, R. J., Kissel, N. (N.D.). Developing Youth Through Horseless Horse
Projects, The University of Wisconsin, Cooperative Extension Services.
Damon, W. (2008). The path to purpose: Helping our children find their calling in life.
New York: Free Press, Simon & Schuster.
Geddes, J. H. (2010). Self-Efficacy and Equine Assisted Therapy: A Single Subject
Study (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from Google Scholar.
Goodwin, D., & Staples, K. (2005). The Meaning of Summer Camp Experiences to
Youths With Disabilities. Physical Activity Quarterly, 22, 160-178. Retrieved June
14, 2015, from http://journals.humankinetics.com/
Johnson, K., & Lichter, D. (2010). Growing Diversity among America's Children and
Youth: Spatial and Temporal Dimensions. Population and Development
Review, 36(1), 151-176. doi:10.1111/j.1728-4457.2010.00322.x
McCawley, P. F. (N.D.). The Logic Model for Program Planning and Evaluation, The
University of Idaho, Cooperative Extension Services.
Mueller, M. (2014). Human-animal interaction as a context for positive youth
development: A relationsl developmental systems approach to constructing
human-animal interaction theory and research. Human Development, 57, 5-25.
Pratt, C., McGuian, W., & Katzev, A. (2001). Measuring Program Outcomes: Using
Retrospective Methodology. American Journal of Evaluation, 21(3), 341-
349. doi:10.1177/109821400002100305
Prince, M. (2004). Does Active Learning Work? A Review of the Research. Journal of
Engineering Education, 93(3), 223-231. Retrieved May 27, 2015, from
http://www.rlillo.educsalud.cl/
YMCA of the Rockies. (2014). the YMCA 2014 Revealed in Stories: 2014 Annual
Report. Retrieved from http://ymca_rockies_epc_backup.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-
content/uploads/sites/7/2015/03/2014-Annual-Report_web.pdf
YMCA of the Rockies. (2014). Retrieved from https://www.ymcarockies.org