By Jackson Moody, NACD Membership Coordinator

The Northwinds 4-H Camp is a four-day residential camp offered to all eight- to 13-year-olds within a five-county area in Northern Pennsylvania. Last summer, McKean County Conservation District received a Friends of NACD grant to support camp operations and development of the next generation of environmental stewards. While this camp has been established for several years, this Friends of NACD grant reduced registration costs to ensure the camp was accessible to all interested students.  

McKean County CD also worked alongside the Penn State Extension to bring in speakers from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Game Commission, Potter County Conservation District, and Seneca Resources to deliver hands-on education in forestry, wildlife, soil health, invasive species, and more. While providing engaging education to the 75 students in attendance was the primary goal, this camp also served as leadership development for the teen camp counselors and McKean County CD staff.  

Penn State 4-H and McKean County CD have collaborated before, but holding this camp together has deepened their partnership and helped McKean County CD work towards their goal of providing stewardship-focused, place-based education and leadership development opportunities for the broader community. 

Staff and board members at Mckean County CD plan to continue their partnership with Penn State 4-H by working together on future educational programs and 4-H camps. 

Apply for a Friends of NACD Grant 

Do you have an education program, demonstration project, or innovative idea for conservation delivery? Consider applying for a Friends of NACD grant! Every year, NACD distributes $2500 grants through the Friends of NACD program. While the variety of projects NACD funds through this program are vast, we love to see proposals that help districts start new initiatives, bring in new streams of income, or grow partnerships, like the project above! 

NACD will announce the next round of funding for the Friends of NACD grant program in October. Keep an eye out on eResource for the full announcement, including the RFP and application link. Friends of NACD grants are open to all NACD dues-paying districts and state associations who have not received a Friends of NACD grant yet. Check out this webpage to learn more about the program and get inspiration from previous grantees! 

Tags: Northeast Region