ST. LOUIS, July 17, 2006 – For generations, it’s been widely regarded as, simply, Camp Wyman. After all, Wyman’s camp programs have been a rite of passage for tens of thousands of St. Louis summer campers and middle school-aged youth participating in year-round school camp. But while “camp” continues to be part of what Wyman provides, the heart of the nonprofit is its landmark work with teenagers in economically disadvantaged circumstances. To reinforce its national leadership in teen development, the former Wyman Center has shortened its name to, simply, Wyman, and is reintroducing itself with a new logo, tagline, and marketing campaign.

A click on the organization’s Web site (www.wymanteens.org) today reveals a new brand architecture that includes the tagline, “Real Teens. Real Life. Real Results.” The slogan strikes at the core of what distinguishes Wyman in the youth development field.

“Teens have unique challenges but are largely underserved in terms of out-of-school time programs that are proven to develop their full potential,” said Wyman President and CEO David Hilliard. “Wyman has a strong record of helping teens succeed, and our new brand positioning will help us communicate that to the community and the youth development field.”

Hilliard points to Wyman’s signature programs that generate outstanding results with teens:

• Wyman Camp Coca-Cola St. Louis, a five-year program for teens across the region in economically disadvantaged circumstances, generated a 100 percent high school graduation rate, 72 percent college enrollment rate, completion of a minimum of 120 hours of community service, and maintenance of an average 3.18 GPA for those who completed the program.
• Wyman Teen Outreach Program, a national after-school program for teens, has reduced dropout rates by 60 percent, and lowered the teen pregnancy rate by 33 percent.

The new branding campaign targets philanthropists, the general public, and families who could be helped through Wyman’s teen programs. Sponsored radio announcements air this summer on National Public Radio (KWMU), with additional events and announcements to occur throughout the year.

Fleishman-Hillard, the local communications agency that also developed the brand for the St. Louis region’s economic development efforts, has created a disciplined approach to naming and visually identifying Wyman’s numerous programs, many of which are funded by corporate and civic sponsors, such as the United Way of Greater St. Louis, St. Louis Kiwanis Clubs, the Lions Clubs of Metropolitan District 26A-1, and The Camp Coca-Cola Foundation of Atlanta.

About Wyman
Wyman has a rich history in St. Louis. Founded in 1898 by a group of prominent St. Louis citizens, their purpose was to provide children living in sweltering tenements with fresh air, good food and healthy outdoor activities. They believed that these surroundings and experiences would positively impact the children’s character, values and outlook on life.

From this small camp in the woods has grown a nationally recognized, not-for-profit teen development organization. Wyman serves 10,000 teens, children and adults each year through its year-round teen development, school, retreat and conference programs.