Contributions will make it possible for Camp Fire to collaborate with Imagine Science to bring equitable science, technology, engineering, and math opportunities to more underserved young people nationwide.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Sept. 14, 2023)–Building on its decades of science, technology, engineering and math programming, inclusive national youth development organization Camp Fire is launching a new collaboration with Imagine Science in Fall 2023. This collaboration is made possible through the support of a $500,000 contribution from AT&T and a $75,000 donation from 3M.
“These partnerships will help us scale a national STEM strategy, ramp up professional development for our network, and access new learning resources,” said Greg Zweber, Camp Fire National Headquarters CEO. “It also sets us up to collaborate with other organizations supporting young people with STEM and deepen our relationships with 3M and AT&T so we can have an even greater impact, together.”
AT&T Collaboration
As part of AT&T’s Connected Learning® initiative, AT&T aims to narrow the digital divide by providing high-quality digital learning resources that engage and support students in underserved communities and help them to fully participate in the digital world.
This collaboration with AT&T supports online learning outside the classroom through Camp Fire’s national out-of-school time program. AT&T’s contribution means STEM and other engaging learning content from AT&T’s free digital learning platform, The Achievery, will be available to 10,000 students served by Camp Fire.
“We seek strategic collaborators like Camp Fire that we can support through multiple channels and reach more young people, so they have the opportunity for a better future,“ said Mylayna Albright, AVP for Corporate Social Responsibility at AT&T. “We’re excited that The Achievery’s content will enhance Camp Fire’s current curriculum and create curriculum expansion packs to bolster programming in their out-of-school time programming for the 2023-2024 school year.”
During the 2023-2024 school year, Camp Fire will also join with AT&T to initiate an impact study with up to 2,000 youth on social emotional learning development and conduct focus groups with teens to gather input and testimonials on The Achievery. AT&T’s contribution will also support educator engagement and training at NLC where Camp Fire National Headquarters will educate and share best practices on The Achievery with program directors and managers from 30 affiliates across the country.
Camp Fire affiliates won’t be tied to a specific curriculum but are encouraged to design programming that fits their local needs and opportunities. Camp Fire will share best practices and experiences with its network and use a set evaluation tool for continuous improvement.
“We’re excited to think about how our mission of connection to the outdoors, others and self integrates with STEM,” said Shawna Rosenzweig, Camp Fire National Headquarters President. “I think it’s going to be a really fun process to see what Camp Fire’s unique flavor is in this space. I think we’re going to find that so many of our practices and ways of working with young people are indeed STEM-related.”
3M Partnership
3M will support Camp Fire through $75,000 and a one-year STEM partnership, bringing Camp Fire into the Imagine Science collaboration. This will allow Camp Fire to launch an Imagine Science Community of Practice beginning with an initial pilot group of five affiliates this Fall. The $75K includes pass-through funding for local time and implementation as well as support for Camp Fire’s bi-annual National Leadership Conference (NLC) for the entire Camp Fire network.
“3M has been proud to invest in Camp Fire for years–through affiliates and the national office, from pro bono campaign support to board member positions. This new STEM collaboration is a great win, building on everything we’ve already done together” said Danette Andley, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer for the Health Care Business Group at 3M and National Board Chair for Camp Fire National Headquarters’ Board of Trustee. “I am thrilled to be working alongside this innovative organization and continue increasing Camp Fire’s reach, impact, and visibility through collaborations like this.”
Learn more about Camp Fire’s history of STEM learning and check out The Achievery, a free digital library of STEM learning content. You can also use the QR code to the right to sign up and explore!
About 3M
3M believes science helps create a brighter world for everyone. By unlocking the power of people, ideas and science to reimagine what’s possible, our global team uniquely addresses the opportunities and challenges of our customers, communities, and planet.
3Mgives improves lives and builds sustainable communities through social investments and thoughtful engagement of 3Mers worldwide. In fact, 3M was one of the first companies to establish a foundation in 1953, and since that time the company has contributed $1.6 billion in cash and in-kind contributions to community partners.
Learn how we’re working to improve lives and make what’s next at 3M.com/news.
About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T
We’re committed to advancing education, creating opportunities, strengthening communities and improving lives. As part of our companywide commitment to address the digital divide, we launched AT&T Connected Learning to invest in connectivity and technology, digital literacy and education solutions to help today’s learners succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Since 2008, we’ve committed to programs that help millions of students across all 50 states and around the world, particularly those in underserved communities.
About Camp Fire
Growing up is hard. That’s why Camp Fire connects young people to the outdoors, to others, and to themselves. Founded in 1910, Camp Fire was the first nonsectarian, multiracial organization for girls but today is an inclusive national youth development nonprofit that serves all young people. By creating safe spaces where young people can have fun and be themselves, its 46 affiliates in 24 states provide affirming, year-round, youth-driven experiences—school day programs, afterschool programs, leadership programs, and camps and outdoor education—that enable youth to develop essential skills that have long-term benefits and make a positive social impact on the world.
For more information please contact:
Erin K Risner, Senior Director of Marketing & Communications, Camp Fire National Headquarters, 913.289.4773, erin.risner@campfire.org
