The City of Columbus is committed to enhancing high-quality summer programming for its youth—especially those residing in designated opportunity neighborhoods. Our program, teach-a-teen to fish: South Side Community Outdoor Empowerment Program, is a fully immersive summer initiative targeting youth from vulnerable South Side Opportunity Zones (e.g., Census Tract 82.30, where median household income is approximately $43,000 with a 41% poverty rate). The program blends in-city enrichment activities (offered at Columbus Public Library branches, local arts facilities, and community centers) with a transformative 25-day outdoor camp experience that offers hands-on training (e.g., fishing, outdoor survival) and intergenerational mentoring. We respectfully request funding to support program expenses including in-city hosting, curriculum and supplies, program support personnel, and transportation.

The City of Columbus intends to invest in high-quality programming during the summer months to expand opportunities for youth to engage in education, recreation, workforce development, and college readiness. Providing safe opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and form healthy relationships can reduce the likelihood of involvement in crime and violence. The City prioritizes programs that serve vulnerable, at-risk, and underserved youth—particularly those in designated opportunity neighborhoods (Hilltop, Linden, Franklinton, South Side, Near East, Southeast, Northeast, Northland, Far East Side, and Far West Side). Our program is designed to meet these priorities by offering both in-city enrichment and transformative outdoor experiences.

South Side Columbus Opportunity Zones face significant socioeconomic challenges. For example, Census Tract 82.30 has a median household income of approximately $43,000 and a poverty rate near 41%. While the City’s parks system spans over 422 parks covering 14,069 acres, many South Side neighborhoods suffer from limited access to quality recreational spaces and aging facilities. These challenges underscore the need for innovative summer programming that provides local in-city enrichment alongside transformative outdoor experiences. Our program directly addresses these gaps and aligns with the City’s efforts to improve outcomes in vulnerable communities.

Teach-a-Teen to fish is a fully immersive summer initiative that blends in-city enrichment—offering arts, literacy, and life skills sessions at local Columbus venues—with transformative outdoor camp experiences featuring hands-on training in outdoor skills and intergenerational mentoring. 

Designed for vulnerable youth in South Side Opportunity Zones, the program aims to boost academic performance, wellbeing, and career readiness while fostering community resilience.

Youth residing in South Side Columbus Opportunity Zones, particularly those from vulnerable, at-promise, and underserved neighborhoods.

In-City Programming: Enrichment sessions (arts, literacy, and life skills) offered from January through May and intermittently during the summer. 

[Venues: Selected Columbus Public Library branches, local arts facilities, and community centers in South Side Opportunity Zones.]

Outdoor Camp: An immersive day camp experience during the summer months. 

[Outdoor Camp Site: A dedicated outdoor facility that supports hands-on skill training (e.g., fishing, outdoor survival) and intergenerational mentoring with local seniors.]

In-City Enrichment: Provides arts, literacy, and life skills sessions to empower youth academically and personally.

Outdoor Empowerment: A free, 25-day camp that teaches practical outdoor skills and fosters intergenerational mentoring to build resilience and community connections.

Transportation: Safe, reliable transit (via charter vans and school buses) connecting urban venues with the outdoor camp.

Program Support: Dedicated staff, mentors, and coordinators who deliver personalized programming for maximum impact.

Phase 1: Preparation Outreach & Recruitment

Conduct targeted outreach to enroll youth from South Side Opportunity Zones.

Partnership Development: Secure strategic partnerships with Columbus Public Library branches, local arts facilities, and community centers.

Curriculum & Resource Planning: Finalize curriculum for both in-city enrichment and outdoor camp activities; procure necessary supplies and resources.

Phase 2: Program Delivery

In-City Enrichment

Launch dynamic enrichment sessions focusing on arts, literacy, and life skills at designated in-city venues.

Outdoor Camp Launch: Finalize logistics and transportation; execute a 25-day immersive outdoor camp featuring hands-on skill training and intergenerational mentoring.

Phase 3: Evaluation and Sustainability Impact Assessment

Conduct comprehensive evaluations including pre- and post-program assessments and focus groups.

Reporting: Compile an impact report summarizing program outcomes and lessons learned.

Sustainability Planning: Develop a replication toolkit and pursue additional funding for program expansion.

Strengthen collaborations with local libraries, arts centers, and community organizations to secure long-term in-kind support.

Data-Driven Evaluation: Implement robust pre- and post-program assessments to measure improvements in academic performance, health, and career readiness.

Community Empowerment: Foster intergenerational mentoring and skill development to generate lasting social and economic benefits.

Replication Toolkit: Develop resources to replicate the program model in additional opportunity neighborhoods for broader transformative impact.

teach-a-kid to fish: South Side Community Outdoor Empowerment Program 

is a strategic, high-impact initiative designed to address the needs of vulnerable youth in Columbus’s South Side Opportunity Zones. 

By seamlessly integrating in-city enrichment with a transformative outdoor camp experience, the program builds essential academic, life, and outdoor skills while fostering intergenerational mentoring and community resilience. 

We respectfully request funding for this transformative summer program, confident that it will yield significant long-term benefits and deliver a high return on investment for the community.