S.T.E.P.S.: Supporting the Transformation of Equity and Power in Outdoor Spaces

2023 Summer Fundraising Goal: $5,000 by August 30th, 2023!

Our Mission: The mission of YMCA Camp Northern Lights is to nurture our need for belonging and connection, to each other and to the outdoors. The Taking S.T.E.P.S. initiative supports this mission by creating opportunities for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ families to experience representation and community in a family camp setting.

How STEPS Works (and what donations do):

S.T.E.P.S. works to engage historically underrepresented families in summer family camp. There are five essential components:

--Reserving space for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ families during the summer family camp program

--Four separate sessions are designed so that 50% or more of campers identify as BIPOC or LGBTQ+ families

--Offering tiered pricing (and complete financial assistance) for participating families

--Reserving space for BIPOC teens within the Leadership Development Program (a program for teens to grow as leaders at camp by assisting counselors)

--Actively engaging staff members in program development and staff training to promote equity and inclusion

Your donations allow us to utilize tiered pricing for participating families and LDPs, and offer stipends for S.T.E.P.S. families to participate in fee based activities.

Impact of STEPS:

--By September 2023, we will have welcomed 130 BIPOC and LGBTQ+ families to Camp Northern Lights during a S.T.E.P.S. session.

--Over the course of this program, we have received numerous positive statements from campers about the impact S.T.E.P.S. had on their experience in the outdoors. Your donations will allow more families to become engaged at camp and in the outdoors. Each donation matters.

Summer 2023 Fundraising Benchmarks: This summer we will have several milestone game show-themed fundraising incentives.

--At $750, CNL staff will host a virtual livestream campfire sing-along on Facebook for campers to tune in and request songs!

--At $1,500, CNL staff will host a “CNL Staff’s Got Talent” spoof showcasing staff talents!

--At $2,500, CNL staff will host a CNL Staff “Family Feud” episode featuring camp trivia!

--At $3,500, CNL staff will host a CNL Staff “Chopped” episode!

--At $5,000, CNL staff will host a CNL Staff “Amazing Race” episode!

Each donor will receive a S.T.E.P.S. sticker as a thank you. Every donation matters. Make a difference today!

Visit our website for more information: https://www.ymcanorth.org/camps/camp_northern_lights/summer/taking_steps

Visit our Facebook page to follow our fundraising campaign:

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