University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Published: July 3, 2008

By PAUL VECCHIO
Reporter Contributor

UB and the YMCA of Buffalo Niagara have formed a unique partnership to provide local youth, particularly those in UB’s South Campus neighborhood, with a special summer camp.

A YMCA summer camp opened on Monday in Clark Hall on the UB South Campus and will run through Aug. 29. The camp aims to give more green space and options to campers in the City of Buffalo. Campers will have the opportunity to experience what it’s like to go to college through several interactive campus experiences, including demonstrations at MCEER and the Center for the Arts. They’ll also take part in weekly field trips, arts and crafts, sports and swimming lessons at the Clark Hall pool.

In addition, campers will participate in fun, character-building exercises that foster the YMCA’s core values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility.

The UB summer camp is the 18th in Western New York to join the roster of day and residential camps run by the YMCA. “It’s our first year at UB and we’re really excited,” says program director Krystle Feind. “This camp will allow us to reach even further into the Buffalo community and help us touch many more people.”

The camp is a collaboration between the YMCA, the UB Division of Athletics and UB’s Office of External Affairs. It is further evidence of the university’s commitment to the Buffalo community, particularly in the South Campus neighborhood, notes Warde Manuel, UB director of athletics.

“This was a unique opportunity for us to utilize facilities that are off-peak in summer months, like Clark Hall, and continue to foster a relationship with a tremendous community partner like the YMCA,” Manuel says. “Young men and women have the opportunity to exercise, learn and grow in a safe environment with tons of green space and educational opportunities. Along with the variety of our own sport camps, this is another example of how we are striving to give back to the youth of Western New York.”

The camp also is providing a number of jobs to young adults in the Buffalo area, who will learn and provide leadership skills to the children that attend the camp.

For more information, call 875-1283. Camp activities run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours beginning at 7 a.m. and running until 6 p.m. at no additional charge.