YMCA FAMILY CAMP MISSION:

Our mission is to strengthen families by providing opportunities for individual and family growth, supporting spiritual development and enhancing environmental awareness in a wilderness setting.

TAKING S.T.E.P.S

Supporting the

Transformation of

Equity and

Power in outdoor

Spaces

The goal of Taking S.T.E.P.S. is to raise the money needed to create a week of intercultural connectedness in the woods. We believe that a week of family camp with 50% BIPOC families would help to disrupt the traditional power dynamics present at Camp Northern Lights and family camps. We would like to make these spaces more inclusive by thoughtfully and intentionally representing and supporting black and brown folks. We feel it is our responsibility as staff members and members of the Camp Northern Lights community who believe in the Camp's mission to make this representation a reality. The $30,000 will go toward reserving 50% of cabins/sites at camp, preparations for the week, and making sure families feel meaningfully supported and comfortable at camp. This fundraiser recognizes that there are many barriers in coming to camp for BIPOC families that extend far beyond affordability, and we are working closely with the Outreach and Inclusion Committee of our board to ensure that the process of building relationships with BIPOC families extends to all socio-economic backgrounds, begins well before they arrive, and extends after their time here.

On August 22nd the staff will participate in a 1 mile/5k /10k/ half marathon run or walk. We are asking that anyone and everyone to join us virtually through the running app Strava. Thanks to amazing community support , we met our original goal, and our new goal is to raise $20,000 by August 22nd. We are grateful to have a donor who will match up to $12,500 of what we raise!

The impact of these funds will go towards overcoming other barriers associated with coming to camp and then, if possible to the Camp Northern Lights Annual Fund to support Northern Lights campers in summer 2020.