OVER 125 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

In 2012 Trail Blazer Camps celebrated 125 years of serving inner-city

youth through outdoor experiential education, making us the 2nd

oldest summer camp program in the US and the 1st to offer environmental education.

INTRODUCTION

In 2013, we continue fulfilling our mission of facilitating youth

development through experiential education and the launch of

environmental education and leadership program, “Under One Sky.”

PROGRAMSOur holistic, award-winning programs emphasize emotional, intellectual, and

physical participation:

Summer Outdoor Experiential Education Program (Sleep Away & Day Camp)On our 1100 forested acres, youth live for 14 or 28days in a “smallcamp” where they schedule their

GOALSOur programs are designed in order to fulfillour four guiding principles. By participating inour programs, youth develop:

1. A love of learning for learning’s sake,reading and writing more.

2. Greater awareness of the natural world, its

OUR PROGRAMS & GOALS

days in a “smallcamp” where they schedule theirown day as a group, in accordance with ourdecentralized program philosophy. Rusticaccommodations of latrines and canvas sheltersensure youth experience nature intimately. Theprogram culmination is the Vagabond, the multi-day hike down the Appalachian Trail. Though theygo home each night, day campers still participatein our enriching activities.

Counselors in Training - Leadership ProgramAdolescent campers interested in a career workingwith children are provided the opportunity todevelop the skills required to succeed in this field.

Under One Sky - Leadership ProgramLessons learned at our camp’s forestedenvironment are translated into actions forparticipants’ urban home environments.

2. Greater awareness of the natural world, itsinhabitants and how to care for it.

3. Improved health and body stewardship,eating healthier and maintaining a healthyself image.

4. Social and emotional competenciesincluding self-confidence,teamwork/collaboration, communication,empathy, conflict resolution andappropriate interaction with peers andadults.

OUR APPROACH

Trail Blazers’ program approach has been developed over the course of125 years. We believe that being in groups and being deeply involved in yourown experience is the best way to learn and grow. We facilitate this processby using nature: our 1000 acres of beautiful, untouched land and lake removethe distractions of modern life and is a place to connect to both the naturalworld and oneself. The learning and growth process is further developedthrough a range of non-competitive activities, group-oriented focus, and theindividual’s input in creating their own experience. This approach establishes aprogram that is unique and personal to each participant and offersopportunities for personal growth and educational development.

OUR CAMPERS, OUR IMPACT

• 44% are African-American, 30% Latino, 17% White, 6% Asian and 3% multi-racial

• 79% are from New York’s five boroughs, 21% from New Jersey

• 81% are eligible for free or reduced lunch

• The return rate averages 50% for sleepaway camp,

85% for day camp

On average, 450 youth (ages 5-17) participate in our programs every year:

• Self-esteem

• Independence

• Teamwork skills

85% for day camp

• Youth are referred to Trail Blazers from schools and

social services agencies such as Harlem Dowling,

Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies,

City of Paterson NJ, and Eva’s Village

At the end of each summer, over 80% of our youth participants report their two-week Trail Blazers experience

helped them increase the essential life skills above.

• Motivation to learn• Interest in exploring

• Affinity for nature

• Family citizenship • Health awareness

• Responsibility & Accountability

• Friendship relationship/building skills

PRESENTING: UNDER ONE SKY

Under One Sky was born out of the realization that a complete understanding of “environment”involves much more than experiencing the outdoors. Under One Sky aims to expand our youth’s

understanding of “environment” to include everywhere they live, work, and play and to helpthem take their personal connection with the outdoors and translate them into practical meaningfor their urban lives. By supplementing science education with exploration of the links betweenenvironmental, personal, and community well-being, participants fully comprehend how“environment” in all its forms impacts our lives. Furthermore, and most importantly, Under One Skyhelps youth understand how they can affect their environments for the better.

We are especially pleased to announce

PRESENTING: UNDER ONE SKY

We are especially pleased to announceUnder One Sky will launch the Summerof 2013 with an competitive grantawarded from Youth, I.N.C.. Under OneSky, as a new year-round program, is anopportunity to engage and impact ouryouth even further as we work to buildupon our 125 years of successfulprogramming building skills and valuesfor life.

UNDER ONE SKY PILOTED IN 2011 WITH 7 YOUTH

In addition to learning “Leave No Trace” principlesduring their summer at Trail Blazers, theyparticipated in the following workshops in thesummer and fall:

• Participated in the urban land-to-plate process,visiting Western Queens Compost Initiative (WQCI)and learning about a community vegetable gardenthe compost fertilized.

PRESENTING: UNDER ONE SKY

the compost fertilized.

• Visited a local food market (Culver Lake NurseryFarm Market in Branchville, NJ) for discussions withvendors about the local food movement.

• Participated in the Climate Justice Youth Summit,a roundtable on climate change and policy,exploring links between environmental policies andsocial equality.

• Explored the economics of sustainability with BuildIt Green! NYC.

Join us as we launch our 127th summer of

programming, and 1st year of Under One Sky

•Monday, June 24, 2013; 6 – 9pm

•The Glasshouses at the Chelsea Arts Tower

SPRING BENEFIT 2013

•The Glasshouses at the Chelsea Arts Tower

•125 guests, silent auction,

and cocktails

•All funds raised supports our

Scholarship Fund

•Dollar for dollar match

before June 15

For more information contact Tiffany Caton, Development and Communications Officer

tcaton@trailblazers.org or (212) 929-7106

153 West 27th Street, Suite 1102, New York, NY 10001