This summer, NYRP will be holding its fourth consecutive 
summer enrichment program from Tuesday, July 5th through Thursday, August 11th, 2011. Nature University will engage 30 campers (ages 8-12) in six weeks of hands-on, nature-based experiences, based at Swindler Cove Park.
Through the theme of Nature University, the summer camp seeks to provide diverse experiences in both natural and built settings of the city, which will serve as a foundation for building an urban environmental ethic. The camp will help each child draw a connection between himself/herself and the cultural and environmental landscapes of New York City.
NYRP’s first Summer Camp program in 2008 focused on introducing students to the wild side of our urban environment through field studies, observation journaling, art projects and field trips to Orchard Beach in the Bronx and a water taxi tour of New York Harbor. Summer Camp 2009 exposed students to the ultimate outdoor experience, while teaching them about the world of green careers.
1. Develop a sense of ownership and an ethic of responsible stewardship in youth participants with regards to the Washington Heights/Inwood community, by using Swindler Cove Park as a base of operations to explore the parks, city blocks and other infrastructure of the neighborhood.
2. Foster creative expression through organized arts activities, introduction to experiential games, and field trips that include exposure to publicly-accessible art and other cultural institutions.
3. Connect to one’s body, culture and community through engagement in the growing, cooking and eating of foods from the Riley-Levin Children’s Garden, local food purveyors, and regional farms/orchards.
4. Promote “earth-friendly” or sustainable practices through the daily operations of the camp and communicate ways to sustain the practices beyond the summer.
5. Foster the development of a positive self-image and sense of purpose through goal-setting exercises and providing alternative choices for difficult situations.