Camps Diversity Program

The Camps Diversity Program sponsors minority urban youth for a free week at one of DEC's summer camps. Youth at camp participate in activities that include fishing, canoeing, swimming, archery, hiking, and overnight camping trips. Participants are split into two groups: 12-14 years old and 15-17 years old. The program also incorporates pre-camp and post-camp activities to engage the youth in their environment, prepare them to attend the camp, and keep them enjoying nature after the week at camp has ended.

The Camps Diversity Program is active in New York City, Beacon, Newburg, Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo.

Each area organizes pre-camp and post-camp activities for potential campers. These events help parents better understand what their children will do at camp, allow potential campers to meet each other so they will not feel so alone at camp, and give the potential campers a glimpse of some of the activities they might do while at camp. In the New York City area, youth go on overnight camping trips in local parks, learn about nesting herons on a Harbor Heron Cruise, and learn orienteering skills. In the Albany area, youth participate in an outdoor photography club, hike in the Adirondacks, and go on a ski trips in the Catskills. In the Buffalo and Rochester areas, youth participate in an Owl Prowl, learn fishing skills at a fishing clinic, and go on snowshoe walks.

For more information, contact your local Diversity Coordinator:

Contact the New York City Metro Area Diversity Coordinator:

Jessica Perez
NYSDEC - R2
47-40 21st Street
Long Island City, NY 11101
P: 718-482-7387
Email: camprshp@gw.dec.state.ny.us add "NYC Area" in subject line

Contact the Capital District Area Diversity Coordinators:

Brother Yusuf Burgess and Jamie Joanethis
NYSDEC - DPAE
625 Broadway, 2nd Floor
Albany, NY 12203-4500
P: 518-402-8014
Email: camprshp@gw.dec.state.ny.us add "Capital District Area" in subject line

Contact the Western New York State Diversity Coordinator:

Michael Adriaansen
Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center
93 Honorine Drive
Depew, NY 14043
P: 716-683-5959
Email: camprshp@gw.dec.state.ny.us add "Western NYS" in subject line