News
Project Morry “leads” young people towards a bright future
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Aug 19, 2010 - 9:58 PM

Project Morry youngsters pose in front of the U.S. Capitol

On July 14th, 2010, campers from New York and Connecticut departed Morry’s Camp in Glen Spey NY, the residential summer camp with an educational focus and the anchor of Project Morry, on the LEAD trip where they toured universities, visited historical areas, and got excited about going to college. In its ninth year, the LEAD (Leadership, Exploration, Awareness, Development) Program is a two-week summer travel component at Project Morry that serves to empower young people, the majority of whom have never traveled outside of the tri-state area. Campers are encouraged to think beyond their communities and explore opportunities beyond high school.

“For young people from inner-city neighborhoods, the idea of touring college campuses, let alone the thought of applying to college, is something that seems like a far away possibility,” says Dawn Ewing, Executive Director of Project Morry. “For them, the college application process can be daunting as many are the first in their family to pursue a higher degree of education. To help these kids realize that a college education is within their grasp, we give them year-round support starting in the fifth grade to help them navigate the college application experience.”

Young people prepare for their trip all year with structured school-year meetings and summer sessions to help them embrace the LEAD trip with flexibility, an open mind and enhanced communication skills. All of this training leads up to the departure for the two-week trip across the Mid-Atlantic states.

In summer 2010, the trip began at the Echo Hill Outdoor School in Worton, Maryland, where the group participated in team building activities, environmental studies and an afternoon on the beach. On July 17th, campers packed up their belongings and headed off to Baltimore, Maryland to tour the University of Maryland. Participants stayed in university dorms, toured the campus and met with the University President, faculty and students. Project Morry alumni, Megan Mayforth, acted as the tour guide for the young people as they visited the campus, the Visionary Arts Museum and the Inner Harbor.

Youngsters explore water way ecology at Echo Hill Outdoor Education Facility in Maryland

On July 20th, the group departed for their next destination, Washington D.C., where they stayed in dorms at American University for one night and camped at Greenbelt Park for two days. While in Washington D.C., campers explored the country’s capital, toured American University, and visited the National Mall and museums, including the Holocaust Museum. In addition to touring several memorials, youngsters had the opportunity to meet with local politicians from their home districts to advocate for summer learning. The Washington D.C. leg of the tour ended with a visit to Howard University, an historically black college.

On July 23rd, the group headed off to Leigh University in Leigh, PA for two days. Campers relaxed with a tour of the campus, explored the small college town and attended a celebration dinner with friends and staff. On July 25th, youngsters departed for their final stop in White Haven, Pennsylvania, where they spent the last full day rafting on the breath taking Lehigh River with guides from White Water Challengers.

After the LEAD trip, Project Morry continues to provide a guiding hand in the college process. From PSAT and SAT preparation, to filling out applications and assistance with scholarship and financial aid issues, Project Morry has helped 100% of the participants who have completed the program go on to graduate from high school in communities where fewer than 50% of incoming ninth graders graduate. This high school graduation rate surpasses the national, state and local averages. Many Project Morry alumni go on to pursue degrees in higher education, and 100% of the young people who attend college stay in college.

Project Morry is a nonprofit, year-round youth development organization anchored by a residential summer camp with an educational focus. The children benefit from a network of support and gain increased social skills, enhanced self-esteem, positive core values and a greater sense of personal responsibility. Project Morry is named in honor of Morry Stein, whose life was dedicated to the enrichment of children’s lives through the residential camp experience. For more information, log onto www.projectmorry.org.

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