Missouri-Arkansas Region IV April 21, 2012

Kiwanis One Day 4-21-12 Clean up Camp Wyman

History of Kiwanis Camp Wyman Founded in 1898 by a group of prominent St. Louis citizens and located at 600 Kiwanis Drive in Eureka, MO, Wyman’s original purpose was to provide children living in sweltering tenements with fresh air, good food and healthy outdoor activities. The founders created the Children's Industrial Farm, known today as Kiwanis Camp Wyman, and believed that these surroundings and experiences would positively impact the character, values and outlook on life for these children. And they were right! History of Kiwanis Camp Wyman

Kiwanis Camp Wyman is so named in recognition of Wyman's long-standing relationship with the Kiwanis Clubs of St. Louis. Since the 1940s, the Kiwanis Clubs have supported the Wyman mission and work on behalf of youth from disadvantaged circumstances.

Every day Wyman Center receives calls from former participants and staff members seeking a renewed connection to their time spent at Kiwanis Camp Wyman. Many comment that their Wyman experience was among the most memorable times in their life. Some attribute their current success to Wyman's caring and compassionate staff, diverse programs and experiences, and opportunities offered to broaden their view of the future.

Today the historic Kiwanis Camp Wyman occupies the original 80 of the 240 acres on our campus in Wildwood, Missouri.  Kiwanis Camp Wyman has welcomed children, youth and adults into a multitude of camp  programs for more than a century. Kiwanis Camp Wyman is so named in recognition of Wyman's long-standing relationship with the Kiwanis Clubs of St. Louis. Since the 1940s, the Kiwanis Clubs have supported our mission and work on behalf of youth from disadvantaged circumstances.

From this small camp in the woods has grown a nationally recognized, not-for-profit youth development organization. Wyman  programs are now operating in 40 states under licenses and franchises it has granted, extending the advantageous results of its work to over 20,000  youth across the U.S. each year.  Additionally, Wyman now directly serves 10,000 St. Louis area children and youth each year – on the Wyman campus as well as off-site in St. Louis schools and clubs. Throughout our history, we have served more than 600,000 St. Louis area children and youth through a variety of youth development programming - setting our community’s young people on the pathway to success.

Group of Kiwanis Volunteers 4-21-12 So, it is no wonder that Missouri-Arkansas Kiwanians from Divisions 6, 7,8, and 9 have volunteered to work at Kiwanis One Day for the past three years. Here is one of the groups of volunteers from April 21, 2012.

Getting Instructions Wyman Facilities Director Tim Rafferty gives instructions to the outdoor workers.

New Raised Vegetable Gardens Preparing the ground and building a fence on new vegetable gardens, which will become part of the curriculum for the summer.

New Raised Vegetable Gardens Almost finished! Branches need to be trimmed back to provide sun for the garden.

Vegetable Garden Group From two different divisions and four different clubs + Kiwnians in training!

Landscaping Instructions

Additional Workers!

Dining Hall Another crew cleaned up the interior of the dining hall.

Another Group of Volunteers

Swing Set Built by Bridgeton Club In between 2011 & 2012 Kiwanis One Days, one club built this swing set.

A Teen Leadership Program Class Kiwanis Camp Wyman is the camping experience for the Teen Leadership Program.  Wyman’s Teen Leadership Program (TLP) engages teens from economically disadvantaged circumstances year-round for seven years beginning in eighth grade. The program is guided by a progressive leadership theme, and teens gain the experiences, skills and values needed to prepare to act as contributing students, family members, employees and citizens.   During the first year, students spend 3 ½ weeks at the camp.  The times vary in each of the successive years because they also engage in other activities.

Teen Leadership Program Graduating Class of 2012 Based on results of 2011 TLP graduating class: 100% of TLP teens graduated from high school on time. 96% enrolled in college upon high school graduation. In comparison, only 82% of area teens graduate high school and only 54% of low income youth go on to college after high school. Teen Leadership Program Graduating Class of 2012