TABLETS & NATURE WALKS
HOW THE NEW YORK YMCA CAMP IS ENHANCING ITS CAMPERS’ PROGRAMS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY.
“Overall, we find that tablets can help kids learn, but more
would a time-honored, traditional summer camp introduce digital technology into its camper program? After all, summer camp is generally thought of as one of the few “unplugged” holdouts left in today’s hyperconnected, 24/7, digital world. Camp administrators and parents generally agree that for children and teens in today’s society, a temporary vacation from technology is healthy. Disengaging young people from the digital world encourages them to socialize, try new activities, and benefit from their natural surroundings. It challenges them to appreciate life beyond the boundaries of a computer screen. However, that same digital screen can also enhance the experiences of camp. At The New York YMCA Camp, we have found that when used appropriately, technology can promote deeper learning and foster a child’s engagement with his peers and surroundings. Our staff integrates technology in a variety of ways to augment many of our programs. The goal is to expand our campers’ interest in, and understanding of, the area’s natural habitats. “Today’s kids are tech savvy, and they’re used to applying their skills to learn about and engage with the world around them,” said Scott Johnson, a former camper and current board member with knowledge in communications technology. “That can be a positive thing, since being able to utilize and leverage technology is an increasingly important life skill. The New York YMCA Camp recognizes this, and we’ve found creative ways to integrate technology into our curriculum in order to support the learning experience for our campers.” We introduced a multimedia training program which helps campers learn storytelling through video production, storyboarding, and audio engineering. Our campers use digital cameras to capture their camp experiences. Afterwards, they work together with editing software to tell their stories. Over the past several summers, these Y Camp classes have increased in popularity. “Giving kids a chance to use technology to create and express themselves, and giving them the tools and knowledge to do so, is an extremely effective way to help many of our campers build confidence and improve their communications skills,” said Johnson. “And, at the end of the season, the class members get to share their work with their fellow campers and families, and show off their new skills as screenwriters, directors, editors, and sound engineers.” We also integrate technology into the camp experience by enhancing “teachable moments” with digitally-supported learning. Our counselors take advantage of these resources by bringing a tablet along on hikes and nature walks. During these hikes, our counselors leverage mobile apps, such as “Wildman” Steve Brill’s Wild Edibles App. Apps like this one are designed to serve as outdoor field guides that teach our campers, many of whom live in urban areas, about their natural surroundings.
Why
importantly, using technology to supplement learning helps them gain knowledge and expand their interest in being outdoors – which is what summer camp is all about.”
“Wildman” Steve Brill’s Wild Edibles app
Available from the iTunes and Google Play stores for Apple and Android devices.
“It
may seem counterintuitive to bring a tablet along on a nature walk, but it’s a great tool to help answer campers’ questions about the things they discover along the trail,” said Danielle Gintert, a naturalist and YMCA staff member. “It’s a wonderful way to answer questions about what type of bird, tree, or mushroom a camper spies, or to help them understand how to tell the difference between poison ivy and its harmless lookalikes. Overall, we find that tablets can help kids learn, but more importantly, using technology to supplement learning helps them gain knowledge and expand their interest in being outdoors – which is what summer camp is all about.” As part of the YMCA, our goal at The New York YMCA Camp is simple: work to instill in our young campers an appreciation of the natural world while making friends, cultivating healthy behaviors, and building new skills. We do this in many traditional ways, but we also believe it is important to leverage the best tools available to us – from marshmallow-roasting sticks and all kinds of watercraft to digital cameras and tablets. Thanks to the creative ways our staff has integrated technology into camp programming, our campers are able to share their experiences and what they’ve learned in new ways with friends and family.
Wheaton Griffin
is Executive Director of The New York YMCA Camp and oversees operations of three independent residential camps located in Huguenot, N.Y. He holds advanced degrees in Psychology, including a PhD from United States International University, a Master of Science from McNeese State University, and a Bachelor of Science from St. Lawrence University. www.newyorkymcacamp.org
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Volume 3
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