Creating a new generation of lake enthusiasts
Lake Explorer Camp receives Evjue Foundation grant
The Evjue Foundation, the charitable arm of the Capital Times Company, recently announced grants to 56 nonprofits in Dane County. The latest grant contributions bring the total awarded by the Evjue Foundation in 2018 to $2.3 million. Clean Lakes Alliance’s Lake Explorer Camp is honored to be chosen as one of the grant recipients.
Clean Lakes Alliance will receive $5,000 to support its Lake Explorer Camp. The camp is an opportunity for young people to learn about our lakes and waters. Clean Lakes Alliance believes connections to nature begin to develop in childhood. Children who have educational experiences with our lakes will grow to treasure our waters.
The Lake Explorer Camp began in 2014 as a day on the lake for students from the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County. Since that time, it has evolved into a week-long lake immersion program for our community’s youth. Many of the youth involved may not otherwise have access to our lakes.
About the camp
Lake Explorer Camp partners with Madison Boats, the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, and the Bayview Foundation & Community Center to engage 3rd, 4th and 5th graders with the lakes. Over the course of two weeks, students identify lake critters under the microscope, learn how to bait a hook and cast a line to fish, investigate water quality, and gain valuable paddling and water safety skills under the guidance of experienced outdoor education staff and multilingual instructors. To date, 809 students have participated in the Camp, with 3,570 hours of lake education.
Looking ahead to 2019
The Lake Explorer Camp has wrapped up five successful seasons of creating a new generation of lake enthusiasts. Clean Lakes Alliance is looking forward to continue to expand the program in 2019, reaching more students than ever before. In addition to the Evjue Foundation’s $5,000 grant, a $2,000 grant from the Madison West Kiwanis, a $1,000 grant from the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, and support from Dane County and Madison Gas and Electric Company (MGE), will help grow the Lake Explorer Camp in 2019. Plans for 2019 include involving more students from the Bayview Foundation & Community Center, which neighbors Brittingham Boats, one of the Madison Boats locations.
We are honored that the Evjue Foundation, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, Madison West Kiwanis, Dane County, and MGE value a future with equitable lake access and lake education.
Would you like to help grow the Lake Explorer Camp to reach more students in our community? Become a Lake Buddy today and donate to send one or more kids to Lake Explorer Camp!
