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Who We Are
Wyman is all about preparing youth to lead successful lives and build
strong communities.
The goals of our comprehensive youth development programs are to inspire and help youth to:
- Be productive in school, establishing outside interests and learning life skills such
as communication, problem solving and leadership abilities.
- Connect with family, adult role models outside of the family, positive peer relationships
and community institutions such as church, clubs and service groups.
- Navigate through life by thriving in diverse environments, relating with people from various
populations, taking responsibility for one's self and others, and avoiding unhealthy risks.
Our programs enable youth to become self-confident, compassionate and accountable; know how to lead,
plan, problem solve and communicate; be successful in school and in life; and
be well prepared to
act as contributing students, family members, employees and citizens.
Read about our Youth Development Programs for further details.
History
Wyman has a rich history in St. Louis. Founded in 1898 by a
group of prominent St. Louis citizens, its purpose was to provide children
living in sweltering tenements with fresh air, good food and healthy outdoor
activities. The founders created the Children's Industrial Farm, known today as
Kiwanis Camp Wyman, and believed that these surroundings and experiences would
positively impact the character, values and outlook on life for these children.
And they were right!
Every day we receive calls from former campers and staff
members seeking a renewed connection to their time spent at Kiwanis Camp Wyman.
Many comment that their camp experience was among the most memorable times in
their life. Some attribute their current success to Wyman's caring and
compassionate staff, diverse programs and experiences, and opportunities offered
to broaden their view of the future.
From this small camp in the woods has grown a nationally
recognized, not-for-profit youth development organization. Wyman programs are
now operating in 40 states under licenses and franchises it has granted,
extending the advantageous results of its work to over 20,000 youth across the
U.S. each year. Additionally, Wyman now directly serves 10,000 St. Louis area
children and youth each year - on the Wyman campus as well as off-site in St.
Louis schools and clubs. Throughout our history, we have served more than
600,000 St. Louis area children and youth through a variety of youth development
programming - setting our community's young people on a pathway to success.
Kiwanis Camp Wyman
Today, the historic Kiwanis Camp Wyman occupies the original 80
of the 240 acres on our campus in Wildwood, Missouri. Kiwanis Camp Wyman has welcomed children,
youth and adults into a multitude of camp, community and leadership programs for more than a century.
Schools, corporations and neighborhood and church groups from across the region come to Kiwanis Camp Wyman
to experience our acclaimed programs, or simply to utilize our facilities and beautiful surroundings for
their group's needs.
Kiwanis Camp Wyman is so named in recognition of Wyman's long-standing relationship with the Kiwanis Clubs
of St. Louis. Since the 1940s, the Kiwanis Clubs have supported our mission and work on behalf of youth
from disadvantaged circumstances.
Lions Den
In 1995, Wyman began a collaboration with the South Side St. Louis Lions Club to offer camp programs for
youth from disadvantaged circumstances. Since that time, we've welcomed approximately 45,000 children and
youth into our programs at Lions Den.
Wyman will continue to work with the South Side Lions to expand our partnership to successfully provide
effective programs for more and more young people.
For more information, see Lions Mane Event.
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