Camp Hard Hat

The sixth-to-eighth graders who participated in the 2022 Camp Hard Hat at Genesee County Park & Forest this summer worked hard and exceeded expectations, said Karen Winters, director of the Business Education Alliance, which sponsored the camp.

"You guys are amazing," Winters said. "You really are. I sometimes, when I see how small you are, I kind of think, 'how are they going to be able to build something like (a pavilion)?' I question it, but then by the end of the week, you do something so incredible, and you blow everybody's mind so I can't say enough to you guys about how proud of you I am, as I'm sure your families are, as well."

This was the eighth Camp Hard Hat at the park in the past nine years and the largest number of participants yet.

This year, project leaders worked in some fun events, too, such as geocaching and kickball, which made the overall experience better for the kids, said Paul Osborn, director of Parks, Recreation & Forestry for Genesee County.

"It's been a great opportunity for us to showcase the park to the kids," Osborn said.

The Pavilion the students built replaces one built in the 1980s.  The new one is larger, so it can accommodate larger gatherings and it will eventually have electrical outlets.

One of the goals of the program is to expose students to building trades and perhaps get them interested in a career working with their hands.

"One of the things that we always have a difficulty with is hiring trades individuals, kids out of college or out of high school, they don't always have the skills," said Osborn. "I think nowadays we're seeing that the trades are just as important as any colleges. In fact, most of the time the kids that go into the trades will do much better monetarily and but also produce something every day."

Karen Winters.

Winters with Lukas Volkmar (Churchville) and Jackson Ciravolo (Bergen), two students back for their third years at the camp, this time as leaders and counselors.  This was the first year students returned in those roles.

Ribbon cutting.

Proud mom Missy Midkiff with her son Ayden, both of Batavia.

A new pier into one of the ponds at Genesee County Park, suitable for relaxing and taking in nature and wildlife, was dedicated Friday by the leaders of Camp Hard Hat and the students participated along with their supporters and family members.

This is the sixth project completed in the park by Camp Hard Hat students over the past six summers.

Press release:

The Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Nature Center is pleased to offer two summer camps for area youth in 2018. They are Camp Hard Hat and the Environmental Science Career Exploration Camp.

• Camp Hard Hat -- registration opens at 9 a.m. on Monday, April 9th

Students entering eighth, ninth and 10th grade have the opportunity to leave their mark and work in a team environment. Camp Hard Hat Class of 2018 will build a raised wooden walkway for a park trail at Genesee County Park & Forest and get hands-on experience with plumbing and electric.

Campers use math, process-thinking skills, and battery-powered tools to improve their community while learning about careers in Building Trades. Camp Hard Hat runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. July 30th to Aug. 3rd.

This program is presented in partnership with the Business Education Alliance of Genesee County, the Business Education Council of Wyoming County, and GVEP Batavia Building Trades. Instructors Rich Monroe and Jared Radesi teach campers the principles of design and construction, project safety, and the power of teamwork.

All materials, equipment and lunch are provided each day, along with an optional overnight experience at Genesee County Park & Forest and a camp T-shirt. Cost is $95/camper for the entire week. To register for Camp Hard Hat click here. (All registration pages are disabled on the site until the first day of registration, Monday, April 9.)

Sponsors make this camp possible! The generosity of sponsors helps cover the cost of materials, instructors, transportation and provides the opportunity for camp scholarships. To become a Camp Hard Hat sponsor, contact Linda Leblond at lleblond@wycobec.org or (585) 786- 5001.

• Environmental Science Career Exploration Camp -- registration ends Friday, June 29th

Are you interested in protecting wildlife and habitats? How about sampling streams, soils, and trees? Thinking of a career in Environmental Science?

Explore all of this and more with Environmental Science Career Exploration Camp July 16th - 20th at the Genesee County Park & Forest. Students entering eighth – 12th grade will explore different Environmental Science jobs as they gain outdoor field experience while guided by professionals.

This weeklong adventure includes wildlife surveys, wading through wetlands and streams, a field trip, and more. Camp meets Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Interpretive Nature Center at Genesee County Park & Forest.

Transportation is available from Batavia High School to and from camp each day. All materials, lunch and snacks are provided each day along with a camp T-shirt. Cost is $95/camper for the entire week.

To register, download the registration form from our website here.

Return completed forms with payment to: 

Main Office
Genesee County Park & Forest Interpretive Nature Center 153 Cedar St.
Batavia, NY 14020

Making the deck.

Directly supervised, precision cutting of boards.

All of the campers of the 2016 Camp Hard Hat, along with instructors.

Submitted photos and press release:

Fourteen rising eighth-, ninth- and 10th-graders are building a bridge this week at Genesee County Park & Forest.

They are using math, process thinking skills, battery power tools, directly supervised use of cutting tools, and using all necessary safety equipment and the power of teamwork to do this.

Camp Hard Hat is live and in action Aug. 1-5 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Interpretive Nature Center at Genesee County Park & Forest in East Bethany.

In a partnership with Business Education Alliance of Genesee County, Business Education Alliance of Livingston County, Business Education Council of Wyoming County, and GVEP Building Trades, instructors Rich Monroe and Jared Radesi teach campers principles of design, construction and safety.

Campers will complete the bridge late Thursday morning. The newly finished bridge will be placed on the Wetland Trail in Genesee County Park & Forest on Thursday afternoon. Campers come from Erie, Wyoming, and Genesee counties.