By Emily Behr | Director of Camp and Outdoor Learning
This spring, Piedmont partnered with El Centro Hispano to offer 25 children the opportunity to experience a full week of nature-based camp across our Durham, Wake, and Orange County locations. For many of these kids, it was their very first time at an outdoor, nature-based day camp. Thanks to generous donor and grant support, and a meaningful community partnership, we were able to remove many barriers, including cost and language, so that nothing stood between these children and the wonders of the natural world.
One camper exclaimed, “I never thought that science in nature would be this AWESOME,” after their first day of camp. This is the impact that you, our gracious donors, make possible.
Since our last report, we have been laying the groundwork for this partnership, coordinating with El Centro Hispano staff to identify families most in need. Camp programming this week included stream ecology, wildlife tracking, forest exploration, and hands-on nature-based projects at all three sites. Bilingual staff and volunteers were present throughout the week to ensure every camper could fully participate and engage with confidence, regardless of their English proficiency.
All 25 campers received full scholarships and bilingual programming, none of which would have been possible without your generosity. Research consistently shows that early experiences in nature build confidence, curiosity, and a lasting connection to the environment. For children in underserved communities who rarely have access to green spaces, a week at Piedmont can be truly transformative. We are proud to be building a model of inclusive, accessible outdoor education in the Triangle, and we are deeply grateful to have you as a partner in this work.
By Emily Behr | Director of Camp & Outdoor Learning
By Madeline Preiss | Development Manager
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