CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. — Registration is now open for 2019 Farmers Union Camps. Each summer, hundreds of rural and urban youth from across the Midwest participate in youth camps at Wisconsin Farmers Union’s Kamp Kenwood on the shores of Lake Wissota near Chippewa Falls.
According to WFU Education Director Cathy Statz, Farmers Union Camps develop awareness of cooperation, leadership, and sustainability in a safe, fun and inspiring environment. This year a special focus of the camp programming will be on water quality and conservation of our water resources. Campers will have a chance to learn more about the impact of human activities on the health of Lake Wissota and local watersheds.
“We are thrilled to be adding to our water stewardship education efforts this year by working through local public and community partnerships,” said Statz. “These mutually beneficial relationships strengthen the work and expand our reach.”
A strong focus of the camps will remain on the value of cooperatives.
“For over 80 years Farmers Union Camps have focused on leadership development with a cooperative approach,” Statz said. Youth learn about the Cooperative Principles and the benefits of cooperatives to Wisconsin’s family farmers and communities. At each camp session, campers create their own Camp Co-op Store, elect a board of directors, buy shares and receive patronage dividends.
Campers also enjoy traditional summer camp activities like swimming, sports, arts and crafts, hiking and campfires.
“Campers especially love the evening programs at camp, because they get to be really imaginative,” Statz said. “They develop skits, write songs and paint a stage backdrop for our special theme nights. We also play a lot of fun camp games where kids can apply the teamwork skills they learn throughout the week.”
Campers come from across the Midwest and a handful of other states. Illinois native and second-generation camper Ali Slaughter notes that “Through Farmers Union Camp you gain a sense of community and family, knowledge on a wide range of important issues, leadership skills, and countless memories.”
Camp sessions are open to ages 8-18 and are available June through August. There will also be an Acorn Day Camp for ages 7 and up from 9am to 2pm on Aug. 15, coinciding with Wisconsin Farmers Union’s Summer Conference. Family camps, open for families to attend with children of all ages, will be held July 26-27 or Aug 2-3.
Co-sponsored by a grant from the CHS Foundation, the four- to five-day camps are affordably priced at $95 to $105 per camper for WFU members. (Non-members add $30 for a one-year Farmers Union family membership.)
To register or to view camp dates, please visit www.wisconsinfarmersunion.com. For questions, please contact Cathy Statz at 715-214-7887 or cstatz@wisconsinfarmersunion.com.
— Wisconsin Farmers Union
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