BOILING SPRINGS, NC – Gardner-Webb University is proud to be hosting Campus-Y Camp, an event that brings together the Coalition of Campus YMCA’s (CCY) from all across the United States through Friday.
The purpose of Campus-Y Camp is to further its movement. Campus YMCA’s are different from facility YMCA’s that most people are accustomed to. They focus mainly on community service and leadership development on college campuses. Hence the slogan, “No pool. No gym. Just leadership and service.” Each campus YMCA is a bit different, but they all share the same vision of living out the mission of the YMCA.
According to Lisa Yerrick, who serves in the student development division for the Gardner-Webb Student YMCA, there are 18 campus YMCA’s in the country and 13 of them are represented at this event. There are some 70 participants in all with one student from as far away as the University of Hawaii. The conference is held annually in May and hosted by one of the CCY schools. The conference is also student-planned and student-led. “Our week’s focus is about being agents of change – making a difference, through service, right where you are. It’s exciting to see young people so passionate about giving of themselves to create a better way of life for others,” said Yerrick.
Over the next few days, participants will hear from guest speakers, attend special events, and complete a service project at HarvestWorks of Shelby, N.C. HarvestWorks is a farm-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to enriching and enhancing the lives of children and adults with disabilities.
Locally, the Cleveland County YMCA has served the region since 1992 and continues to expand their network to meet the ever-changing needs of the local community. They have facility branches in Shelby, Boiling Springs, and Kings Mountain. The Cleveland County Y also has program centers called the Girls Club YMCA and the Gardner-Webb Student YMCA. The Y also operates the River Bend Golf Course.
Located in Boiling Springs, NC, Gardner-Webb University is home to over 4,000 students from 39 states and 21 foreign countries. Gardner-Webb seeks a higher ground in higher education – one that embraces faith and intellectual freedom, balances conviction with compassion, and inspires in students a love of learning and leadership.
