So by now, you know about NYC Twestival and that there will be a star-studded [details to be announced shortly] fundraiser at Brooklyn Bowl on September 12th to benefit the non-profit, CampInteractive (CI). You probably also knew that 100% of the proceeds raised from the event will go to CI. But do you really know anything about the work the organization does? More than that, why should you care?
CI’s mission is to empower inner-city youth through the inspiration of the outdoors and the creative power of technology.
The organization was founded in 2001 to address two major issues that plague inner-city communities: the digital divide, and the lack of positive role models for youth. The program is based out of the Tech & Trek center in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx. Using the Center as a hub, CI runs after-school tutoring programs, technology workshops, and outdoor adventure trips throughout the year. Many of the workshops focus on all aspects of technology, including video editing, newsletter design, digital music production, and computer repair.
During the summer, inner city teens embark on week long outdoor trips where students hike, camp, canoe, rock climb, and sail outside of New York City. They document their adventures using digital cameras, video, and journal writing and return to the city and learn how to build websites based on their experiences. Through this unique program students grow in confidence and leadership abilities in the outdoors and gain practical and valuable technology skills that will help them in school and in the workforce.
About half of the population within the Kingsbridge community lives below the national poverty line. Despite a decrease in crime since the mid-1990‘s, violence continues to be a serious problem. But the stats regarding the digital divide are just as sobering. Take a minute to imagine your day-to-day life. How often do you, and all of us, use the internet? Can you even imagine your home without this constant connection to the outside world?
In Kingsbridge, only approximately 30% of households with an annual income of $30,000 or less had a broadband, or high-speed, Internet connection at home, according to a recent report by the Pew Internet and American Life Project. This is like shutting the door to a world outside of their community. Not only is information unavailable, whether researching for school or generally curious, the knowledge of what more is out there is disconnected from these households. University courses, all sorts of higher learning, job opportunities, so many opportunities to further yourself can be found online in this day and age, is widely available online. Unless you do not have an internet connection.
For the participants of CI, the program is a powerful way of bridging that gap.
Take, 16-year old Kyron who has been with the organization since 2005. Being a member of CampInteractive has taken the Bronx-native out of his familiar surroundings to the mountains of Colorado in both the dead of winter and the summer; camping, mountain climbing, experiencing a part of nature you can’t quite get in New York City. These group activities connect him to the outside world and every trip is accompanied with a student-built website. In order to create their websites CI students learn html, php, dreamweaver, and photoshop. Collaboratively the students are responsible for the content, design, and creation of the websites, which captures the essence of their outdoor trips. Kyron acknowledges that over the past four years he’s matured and learned to rise to the many challenges that have threatened his desire to succeed. Now a Social Networking Administrator and a Cat Rock leader at CI, Kyron admits, “Whether they were girl issues, school challenges, or outside conflicts, CampInteractive has been there to help me through it all. I’ve made many friends in and through CampInteractive and learned awesome technology and leadership skills.”
His success story is one of many.
While it’s great that the organization has been making tremendous strides since being founded, there is still a great deal more to be done. Enter: NYC Twestival. Craig Meisner, Executive Director of CI says, “We’re absolutely thrilled that Twestival NYC has chosen to support CampInteractive. The money raised will go directly towards helping underprivileged teenagers realize more of life’s possibilities through the technology and outdoor programs we provide.”
So now it’s up to you. You can help us make a difference in the lives of Kyron and other underprivileged teenagers that CampInteractive works with.
Remember though, NYC Twestival is not like any other fundraiser you’ve been to. We’re planning something a bit special.
Support the students of CampInteractive and have a ball with the stars. Buy your tickets here.
