In the Spanish language, the word for success is “exito.” And at a recent summer camp hosted by Oregon State University, about 150 mostly Latino 4-H members were inspired to strive for it.
The university’s annual 4-H Outreach summer camps for elementary and middle school students stressed the importance of gaining an education and developing skills for next-generation industries such as robotics.
Designed for Latino and underserved youth in third through eighth grades, the annual camps in the woods west of Salem, Ore., focus on helping youths improve academic skills, develop leadership abilities and participate in healthy physical activities, university officials said.
“We’re doing hands-on workshops to help kids explore different career opportunities,” said Mario Magaña Alvarez, OSU’s 4-H outreach specialist. “We also have college students … share their experiences with the youth. We also bring Latino professional speakers representing different careers.”
Providing skills
The camps’ purpose is to prepare kids for the next generation of jobs – and encourage them to take pride in their culture, too.