Editor’s note: The following press release was received from UW-Whitewater Continuing Education Services, Camps and Conferences.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus comes to life in summer with thousands of campers learning new skills and developing their talents. For more than 50 years, Continuing Education Services (CES) has offered athletic, arts, academic and enrichment programs for youth.
As families begin making their plans for summer, parents know their children will make friends and memories participating in UW-Whitewater programs, and thanks to new policies and procedures, they can also be confident their children will be safe.
“Choosing a youth program is no easy task for parents” said Morgan Anderson, CES Director. “UWW has worked hard to increase its youth protection presence through designed trainings and tools to support all staff and volunteers interacting with minors, who may encounter unique experiences and feelings during their time at camp.”
In spring 2023, the Universities of Wisconsin established a Youth Protection and Compliance Policy to ensure the safety of youth participants in activities on all campuses, state-wide and year-round. Since then, UW-Whitewater has onboarded more than 670 employees and volunteers with nearly 1,500 trainings and 600 background checks. Trainings focus on illness and injury, severe weather events, emergency situations, medication and dietary restrictions, communication channels, and youth mental health.
“Ensuring the safety and security of our academic year programming and summer camps is crucial, which is why a robust youth protection program is vital,” said Michael Dugan, Dean of the College of Arts and Communication, home of dozens of youth programs. “It fosters an environment where creativity can thrive and cultivates trust and inclusivity, enhancing the overall experience for everyone involved.”
CES takes great pride in establishing and maintaining an environment in which campers of all ages and abilities will thrive and have a memorable experience.
“Gymnastics offers year-round programming to some of the youngest youth athletes on campus,” said Jen Regan, head gymnastics coach and camp director. “Supporting the youth protection standards allows for our programs to safeguard each child that enters our gym.”
Parents and guardians can feel confident that no matter what camp their child enrolls in, they will be safe and cared for while on our campus.
Visit our website to learn more about #WarhawkCamps and find the right one for the youth in your life.
About Warhawk Camps
Since 1973, Continuing Education Services has hosted summer camps and clinics on the Whitewater and Rock County campuses. In 2023, more than 6,700 people experienced summer programming, breaking past participation records. Athletic, academic, arts, and enrichment programs are offered every summer for lifelong learners of all ages, in state-of-the-art facilities, with inclusivity, belonging, and safety as core priorities.
