BETHLEHEM, PA – Valley Youth House (VYH) has received $10,000 via Educational Improvement Tax Credits (EITC) from PPL Electric Utilities that will provide STEM camp to youth at Valley Youth House’s Camp Fowler.

This funding will provide a free, week-long overnight STEM camp at Camp Fowler, the agency-owned 43-acre camp located in Orefield, PA. Camp Fowler utilizes adventure-based, outdoor therapeutic recreation that fosters personal empowerment and improved communication, providing a unique blend of experiences that builds confidence and critical thinking skills in an informal setting. Children attending the camp will be low-income, urban middle school children (rising 6th, 7th and 8th grade students). On-site educational STEM activities will be provided by DaVinci Science Center staff, utilizing the camp’s unique resources.

The following are the primary goals for the five-day STEM camp:

• Develop critical thinking skills for up to 40 youth through adventure-based experiential learning
• Engage students in STEM through activities that:
  • Explore personal interests
  • Are culturally responsive
  • Include comprehensive services, such as counseling/behavior health
• Stimulate greater student interest in pursuing a STEM-related career

“We view partnering with local organizations like Valley Youth House as vital to improving the communities where our customers and employees live and work,” said Carol Obando-Derstine, PPL Electric Utilities’ regional affairs director.  “Every day, these organizations make sure kids throughout the Lehigh Valley don’t fall through the cracks. These organizations also expose youth to STEM education, which prepares them for jobs of the future. The importance of these agencies to the community cannot be overstated and it is our pleasure to support their efforts.”

“Camp Fowler serves youth of all ages and their families with a focus on those who would otherwise not have access to camp experiences”, said Christina Schoemaker, Senior Vice President of Development & Marketing for Valley Youth House.  “We are so appreciative that PPL Electric Utilities sees the value in our programming at VYH and supports young people in our community as they learn and grow.”

About Valley Youth House

Valley Youth House (ValleyYouthHouse.org) does more than just provide homes for Pennsylvania’s vulnerable, abused and homeless youth. We partner with thousands of individuals each year to build a solid foundation for young people and their families. With dedicated street outreach, housing, counseling, skills training, health, prevention, and intervention services, we empower resilient young people in establishing promising futures.

Information provided to TVL by:
Emily Conners
Valley Youth House Development Officer
https://www.valleyyouthhouse.org/

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