LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — The YWCA Northwest Ohio is once again offering a free summer camp designed to help teenagers develop leadership skills, confidence and community connections.
The camp is open to students entering ninth through 12th grades and will feature weekly themed activities along with enrichment field trips, community gardening, cooking and meal preparation classes, sewing lessons and other hands-on experiences. Participants will meet Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for six weeks during the summer. Organizers said they have seen significant growth and maturity in students who participate in the program.
“Absolutely. I've had some of my students been there for 4 years and the maturity level has just increased. They're so much more mature,” said Gwenda Bevis, youth coordinator for the YWCA Northwest Ohio. “We ask them weekly questions and they say, you know, giving them they've learned confidence. They have learned fellowship, learned how to get to know other people and how to speak publicly.”
The camp begins the week of June 23 and runs through July 30. Organizers said the program is free for participants and includes lunches. Parents and students interested in registering can contact the YWCA Northwest Ohio at (419) 225-5465 for additional information.
