Summer Camp 
Pioneer Campers
The Cradle Beach Teen Leadership Program open to ages 14-16
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Summer Camp
Pioneer Campers (PCs) are youth ages 14-16 who are seeking a life-changing experience. During the summer, PCs play an important role in camp life by working during meals (either serving food to campers or helping in the dishroom). They also perform community service projects that make Cradle Beach a better place, by helping with fundraising events or evening activities and serving as role models for younger campers. Many Pioneer Campers can earn community service hours for taking part in the Cradle Beach PC Program while attending any of the five sessions during summer camp.
While PCs contribute much to camp life, they receive many benefits in return. PCs have their own camp program every day, whether it's on the ropes course, in the swimming pool, or making life-long friends. PCs also participate in fun programs like PC Survivor, Cradle Beach Idol, and more!
Interested campers should feel free to contact Michele Tripi, Program Coordinator at Cradle Beach at 716-549-6307 x 208 or e-mail mtripi@cradlebeach.org for more information or an application.
Spring and Fall Youth Leadership Weekends
Youth qualified for the Cradle Beach PC Leadership Program are specifically selected and invited to come to camp throughout the year for three PC weekends in the Spring and Fall. Pioneer Campers are responsible 14-16 year olds who come to camp to participate in a "work and play" program. This year, a total of 85 youth took part in the Pioneer Camper Leadership Training Program.
Seeking to improve and build upon the traits exhibited by campers that show budding responsibility and maturity, the Cradle Beach Pioneer Camper program seeks to further enhance these traits in these campers by providing workshops and discussions focusing on PC summer duties, goal writing, teambuilding, character education and violence prevention.
This advanced camper program prepares youth for their future role as leaders within their school, community and the camp. By focusing on teambuilding, recreation, leadership development activities, guest presentations, learning and fun, Pioneer Campers become more aware of their potential.
This past spring's program featured guest speakers that came to talk about such topics as conflict resolution, money management, career exploration, disability awareness and communication.
Not only is this program educational and beneficial for our youth but its fun, too! Evening activities such as movie night, PC Prom, Mardi Gras, and the talent show provide other avenues for teamwork during the spring and fall and are enjoyed by all.
Past Pioneer Camper participants have plenty of great things to say about the PC program. PCs say that coming to camp during the winter, seeing old friends and making new ones is a big attraction. They also like having a program that focuses solely on them, so they can learn about skills and topics that will prepare them to be successful in the future.
Funded by the John R. Oishei Foundation, these weekends are provided to eligible former and prospective campers at no cost.
Applications for the fall Pioneer Camper Leadership Program will be available soon. Please call Michele Tripi, Program Coordinator at Cradle Beach at 716-549-6307 x 208 or e-mail mtripi@cradlebeach.org for more information or an application.
