Summers @ Mizzou
Experience Your Future

Summers @ Mizzou is a new initiative to encourage academic departments and programs at the University of Missouri (MU) to offer more opportunities for youth during the summer.

Summers @ Mizzou offers assistance with the creation of new camps. MU academic departments and programs provide the content; Summers @ Mizzou provides the rest.  Trainings and consultations about programming for youth are also available.

Summers @ Mizzou is a partnership between the 4-H Center for Youth Development, MU Extension, MU Enrollment Management, MU Conference Office, Student Affairs, Development, academic departments and other partners.
 

Developing New Summers @ Mizzou Camps
Summers @ Mizzou will assist MU academic departments and programs to create new camps. The department or program provides the content.  The 4-H Center for Youth Development will manage recruitment, evening programming, and night time supervision. The MU Conference Office will handle communications, budgeting, meal planning and facility reservations. Camp costs will be covered by participant fees or sponsors.

Summers @ Mizzou Program Training
MU staff who provide summer camps can receive consultation and training through the Summers @ Mizzou. The trainings assist department staff to use the best practices in managing informal youth camps. The goal is for all summer camps to be safe and effective learning environments for youth.

Training can be offered to suit the needs of the department and program. Fees will be negotiated for each training session. For more information contact Teresa Bishop, program coordinator, at bishopta@missouri.edu.

Possible training topics:
Camp Management

• Youth Protection

• Ages and Stages of Youth Development

• Group Management and Communication

• Experiential Learning

• Volunteer Development

• Diverse Audience Outreach

• Financial Support Development

• Continued Relationships After the Camp

• Evaluation of Camps

Programming Topics

• College Preparation

• Service Learning

• Youth Leadership

• Healthy Lifestyles

• Character Education

• Packaged Age-Appropriate Quality Curriculum

Standard Youth Protection Policies
Summers @ Mizzou follows the national standard youth protection policies.

1. Volunteers and staff who work directly with youth are screened for criminal records and child abuse and neglect.
   
   Volunteer Select provides volunteer screening services to non-profit organizations.
    

2. One or more adults, over age 21, are provided for every 10 youth attending the camp.
    

3. Participants are provided with special activities insurance coverage for accident or illness most often through American Income Life Insurance Company.
    

4. Youth are required to complete the following information:

• Permission to use photographs for promotions

• Participant health and insurance information

• Signed event acceptance including behavior expectations

• Signed parental permission for medical treatment and participation.

Note: For an example, see the 4-H Youth Health Form (PDF)