Penn State hosts 377 youth programs with 30,000 participants this summer

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — By the end of summer, Penn State will have hosted 377 youth programs across its campuses and 4-H initiatives, offering children the chance to learn everything from tennis to lighting design to suturing. The camps have specific age requirements, but students from kindergarten through their senior year of high school have opportunities to participate, all with the same goal: have fun learning something new.

According to Sandy Weaver, director of youth program compliance at Penn State since 2013, participant numbers dipped during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and this is the first year that the numbers are back up to their pre-pandemic levels.

“We’re expecting more than 30,000 children to participate in youth programming on Penn State campuses and through Ag Extension programs this summer,” Weaver said, noting that, in total, Penn State is expected to host over 600 programs for youths throughout the calendar year. “Our job is to make sure we’re promoting a safe environment for the participants, and I’m proud to say that Penn State is a leader in this area.”

Amanda J. Smith, director of K-12 engagement for Penn State Outreach, called the youth programs a cornerstone of the University’s impact on the commonwealth and beyond.

“As Pennsylvania's land-grant institution, we hold a vital responsibility to support our state, particularly our youth, who represent the future problem solvers and workforce,” Smith said. “Our commitment to their development ensures a brighter future for all." 

Penn State, through Weaver, is a founding member of the Higher Education Protection Network (HEPNet) and Camps on Campus, what is known as a kindred community under the umbrella of the American Camp Association. Grown out of a grass roots effort that began in 2014, HEPNet is an international association focused on promoting higher education interactions for children while protecting the vulnerable population. Camps on Campus serves as a community for those who coordinate and run youth programming on college and university campuses.

Penn State’s youth compliance program, established in 2013, helped develop the national model for promoting safe environments for minors participating in campus programming, Weaver said. The University’s policy for minors involved in Penn State-sponsored or on-campus programs and the national model feature standard operating procedures, including better oversight and required compliance training. These standards include such things as registering programming in the University’s central database; completing required background checks and additional clearances for any employees or volunteers interacting with youth programming participants; and completing annual training on how to report child abuse.

“Previously, these programs tended to be in silos, without anyone who knew how many programs we had or how many people participated across campuses,” said Weaver, who works to ensure that University youth protection policies comply with state and federal child protection laws. “It took the whole team and a lot of work, but we put structure in place to achieve that oversight and implement clear standards for all youth programming, including 4-H activities and academic, STEM, arts, sports, environmental and recreational camps.”

In addition to her work at Penn State, Weaver also speaks at schools across the country, teaching others how to design and implement youth compliance programs focused on youth safety. In 2022, The HEPNet named Weaver the first Youth Protection Champion — an annual international award honoring the recipient for their demonstrated efforts and accomplishments advancing youth protection in higher education.

“People tend to think of higher education focused on 18- to 22-year-olds, so we need to make sure that we’re promoting a safe environment for everyone, including the youngest members of our campus communities,” Weaver said. “We can’t forget the children.”

To learn more about the requirements and resources regarding youth programming at Penn State, visit the Youth Program Compliance website. More information on all Penn State opportunities for the K-12 community is available on the Penn State Outreach K-12 Engagement Network website.