• Camp E. W. Young

    Our History

    Camp E. W. Young was established by a Norfolk child advocate, Eleanor White Young, over 60 years ago.  The wife of the journal and Guide newspaper owner, Mrs. White organized a group of community activists who saw the need to establish a place where black youth from the city could enjoy a camp-like experience.  The Waterfront site in what was then rural Norfolk County, was selected and purchased by the city.  Norfolk has operated the camp ever since.

    The school system took over the camp’s operation and began securing federal funding through Title I to finance it.  In 1947, a year after Mrs. Young died, the camp was named in her honor. 

    Our Instructional Focus

    Second Grade Program
    For the 2024-2025 school year, Camp E. W. Young will offer three science programs. Beginning on August 26th, we will continue the Title I second grade program. With this program, second grade students receive 4 days of instruction delivered by Camp Young staff on the science portion of the Grade Two Integrated Curriculum. This program includes Nauticus instructors providing a science lesson on the first day of the 4-day experience.
     
    Fifth Grade Program
    The Elizabeth River Project's Shoreline Stabilization project at Camp Young. With this program, Title I fifth grade students receive lessons aligned to the Virginia Science Standards of Learning from Elizabeth River Project instructors on one prescheduled Wednesday. Students learn about the effects of weathering and erosion on the Earth's surface as they plant various wetland plants to help reduce and stop these processes that are negatively affecting the shoreline at Camp E. W. Young. 
     
    Sixth Grade Program
    The Elizabeth River Project's Watershed and Water Quality Analysis project at Camp Young. With this program, Title I sixth grade students receive lessons aligned to the Virginia Science Standards of Learning from Elizabeth River Project instructors on one prescheduled date. Students will locate and explore wetlands, conduct water quality analysis, and identify common organisms from the Elizabeth River watershed. They will also graph water quality results, investigate trends, and discuss factors that influence the health of the river. 
     
    Norfolk Technical Center's Work Based Learning Camp Young Beautification Program
    The Norfolk Technical Center's Work Based Learning Beautification Program. With this program, the carpentry and HVAC students of the Norfolk Technical Center are completing various projects to help beautify and maintain the buildings and other areas at Camp Young. 
     
    Our Mission and Vision
    1. To be a model instructional program that supports the teaching of SOL-aligned science and math concepts through unique and innovative classroom experiences.
    2. To provide opportunities for students that will enhance their use of 21st century skills while becoming college and career ready.
    3. To involve students in STEM related activities that will allow them to embrace the habits of mind necessary to occupy STEM jobs that are currently non-existent.
    4. To create increased opportunities for parents to become involved in the educational life of their children while embracing global awareness and environmental stewardship.
     Our SMARTe Goal
    After a four-day innovative instructional experience, 100% of the second grade students attending Camp Young will demonstrate 15% growth (10% for SPED students) from their pre- to post-tests while at the program. .