Green Works ECO Career Camp

Green Works ECO Career Camp

Day Camp | Specialty Camp

The mission of Green Works in Kansas City is to empower urban youth to care for the environment, contribute to the economy, and create healthy communities.

ECO Career Camp

ECO Career Camp is a FREE hands-on camp experience for at-risk middle schoolers that live in the neighborhoods served by the Kansas City Public School district.

ECO Career Camp is a week-long camp that runs from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, Monday-Friday in urban Kansas City. This hands-on summer camp allows area middle schoolers to increase their awareness, understanding, and confidence in exploring nature and STEM-related topics and professions. Campers will make new friends, get lots of fresh air, and learn plenty along the way!

ECO Career Camp involves a range of environmental activities including water and air quality testing using scientific field equipment, outdoor fun, and field trips to local nature and science career sites such as the Kansas University Biological Field Station, KC Water, and more. After visiting the source of our local water supply, the Missouri River, campers will learn the fundamentals of water management by touring a KC Water pump station to investigate how water is treated and distributed to our city municipalities.  Hands-on activities are woven throughout the camp, like baking brownies in a solar oven to learn about renewable energy sources.  Campers will also have face-to-face engagement with management, field, and administrative professionals to learn about their STEM and environmental careers. Eco-entrepreneurs from companies such as Gladiator Solar along with professionals from Vireo Landscape Design will meet with campers to discuss private-sector jobs.  And what better way to learn scientific concepts like the ins and outs of biological diversity than sorting small live aquatic animals with the Missouri Department of Conservation staff?

Research indicates that middle school is the best time to expose kids to a variety of careers so the campers will participate in “green” career interest surveys to help them understand how their own personal traits, interests, and skills can allow them to excel at various job types.

The lead camp staff receive trauma-informed training and are prepared to help campers build personal resilience through empathy, self-control, and positive mindset development.  In essence, ECO Career Camp provides an enriching environment for campers to explore, learn, and grow.