Strengthening Pathways for Advancement in Recreation & Camp Careers (SPARCC)

About the Program

Category: Parks and Recreation (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

Strengthening Pathways for Advancement in Recreation & Camp Careers (SPARCC) is a counselor, in-training styled program developed to increase access to and inclusion in camp staff pathways for young people in Montgomery County. The SPARCC program provides a unique approach to supporting young people who may never have experienced camp realize the opportunities for careers within the field while developing leadership skills. Camp experiences, for both the camper and camp staff, provide rich opportunities for learning and development. Research from the American Camp Association (ACA) suggests that campers and staff use what they learn at camp in school, in their early jobs, and in roles as they enter adulthood. Montgomery County Recreation and ACA share the practices that encourage accessibility to programs.