Greetings from Jenn Sweet, Camp Director
It is with great excitement that I welcome all our campers and families to the 2017 summer season of Hidden Valley 4-H Camp. It has been a busy time planning camp programs, hiring new and veteran staff and getting ready to open for our 72nd summer!
This summer we are reintroducing Life Skills activities to our weekly schedule. Gardening, sewing and event planning are returning to our camp program. Watkins Glen International Raceway provided us a generous donation to build new raised garden beds this spring and will have our gardens sprouting with new produce this summer! Cooking with Lisa will now include event planning and our Life Skills Specialist, Kelsey, will be leading the sewing and spa & yoga activities!
This year we are also introducing our 4-H Safe Spaces logo in cooperation with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity. One of the greatest aspects of Hidden Valley 4-H Camp is its culture of acceptance. Each year, when I interview our 15 year olds for our Counselor in Training program, I am amazed and touched by the responses of our candidates. Our camp is their 2nd home. It’s where they can be themselves and never judged. It is where they learn what is important to them in life. I am always grateful for those responses and proud that our staff has impacted their lives so strongly.
As I write this letter, we have 43 days until we open camp on July 9! Please take the time to review all the information provided in this Parent Handbook so you and your camper arrive fully prepared for a wonderful week! Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or the Camp Registrar, Hannah Capozzi at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
See you at the Flagpole!
Jenn Sweet
Camp Director