Supporting Applegate’s youth through
summer camp
Written by:
Charlotte Hyde
Widely known among educators and parents is the “summer slide,” a phenomenon in which youth regress academically during the summer months. A countermeasure to this slide can be found in summer camp programs. Beyond providing childcare, summer camps combine learning and fun in a relaxed setting. This supportive environment allows youth to discover new interests and indulge curiosity while building self confidence and social skills. Once summer is over, they return to school eager and ready to learn.
It was with this understanding that the Applegate Partnership & Watershed Council’s education team carried out the second season of Applegate Outdoor Summer Camp (AOSC) at Cantrall Buckley Park. Following a successful pilot season in 2025, program staff were excited to serve families across the Applegate over a six-week season. In line with our goal to combine learning with summer fun, each day at AOSC was packed with science explorations, games, and art projects. Popular science activities included building bird nests, dissecting mushrooms, and excavating “fossils” from frozen “rocks.” The biggest hits among the arts-and-crafts projects were painting wooden snakes, constructing felt animals, and learning the basics of embroidery.
Some special activities were prompted by our weekly themes. “Outdoor Adventurers” week presented exciting challenges, including a treasure hunt and shelter building. During “Friends of the Forest” week, campers contributed to ecological restoration by planting native seedlings in Cantrall Buckley’s riparian zone. We also hosted guest presenters who supplemented weekly themes with their specialized knowledge. We thank Bugs-R-Us, Jackson County Search and Rescue, local fiber artist and educator Shannon Rodine, Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative, and Pollinator Project Rogue Valley for their contributions to AOSC.
Despite this diverse lineup of activities, the most popular element of camp was the Applegate River. Not a single camper was immune to the excitement of splashing around with their peers. This enduring enthusiasm highlights the importance of outdoor play for youth. Time spent outdoors promotes healthy development by encouraging active play, facilitating social connections, and nurturing a sense of belonging in nature.
This year, the AOSC program served 44 campers, with an average of 17 campers per week. In a testament to the community’s support of the program, most campers attended camp for more than one session. In fact, eight campers attended all six weeks. This time together provided ample opportunity for campers to strengthen existing friendships, nurture new ones, and hone collaboration skills. Another avenue for growth and connection was our new Counselor-In-Training (CIT) Program. Over the course of the season, five CITs mentored campers while learning from experienced staff. This new element of the program expanded AOSC’s reach while facilitating further connections across the community.
A vital factor in this program’s success is the support of organizations and community members across the Applegate. Thanks to donations from A Greater Applegate, Rooted In Hope, and several community members, one third of campers attended AOSC with the support of a scholarship. AOSC was also supported by grants from the Pacific Power Foundation and Jackson Soil & Water Conservation District. The Teresa McCormick Center made a valuable contribution by donating snacks, which satisfied campers at the end of jam-packed days. Notably, Jackson County Parks was generous in allowing us to use their facilities. Finally, community members who promoted AOSC within their networks were instrumental in helping the program reach as many families as possible. We deeply appreciate the support of all mentioned and are excited to continue to serve the community next summer.
It is our hope that every camper was positively impacted by their AOSC experience.
Charlotte Hyde