This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

WESTFIELD AREA Y CAMPERS GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

The Y strengthens the foundations of community through three areas of focus:  Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility.  There is a power in what can be achieved by working together.  A strong community can only be achieved when we invest in our youth, our health and our neighbors. 

The Westfield Area Y incorporates social responsibility into the camp curriculum so campers learn the importance of giving back to our neighbors. They learn the Y four core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility which are essential for developing good character and future leaders. 

When you are involved with the Y, you help bring about lasting personal and social change.  Westfield Area Y campers are doing projects that will positively impact the community.  “Campers of all ages are making a difference within the community in some way at one of our camps this summer,” states Marty Collett, Westfield Area Y Director of Youth, Teen and Camp Services.  

Find out what's happening in Clark-Garwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

So how are Westfield Area Y campers making a difference?  Campers as young as K-2 grade in Camp Sunshine are collecting gently used and new books for ages 3-7 to help stock the classroom libraries around the Y.  Campers at Camp Blue Sky in grades 2-6 recently demonstrated social responsibility by using recycled materials to build homemade bird feeders and bird houses to support local wildlife in the Watchung Reservation.  Leaders in Training (LIT) for grades 6-8 and Counselors in Training (CIT) for grades 9-10 are serving in different locations within the Community Food Bank of New Jersey in Hillside and repacking and sorting food products, sorting clothing in Kathleen’s Clothes Closet and stocking shelves of school supplies.  Campers get to see on a personal level what it takes to help serve less fortunate members within the community.    

As a leading nonprofit committed to nurturing the potential of youth, the Y has been a leader in providing summer camp for nearly 130 years. The Westfield Area Y Day Camp continues to give youth an enriching, safe experience with caring staff and volunteers who model positive values that help build their kids’ character.   For questions or information regarding sending your child to summer day camp at the Westfield Area Y, please email mcollett@westfieldynj.org or call Marty Collett at (908) 233-2700 x405.  Visit westfieldynj.org to learn more about Westfield Area Y programs.  Financial Assistance is available for those who qualify. 

Find out what's happening in Clark-Garwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?