Creating Community Outdoors
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Summary:
Phillips neighborhood, in the heart of Minneapolis, is home to a diverse population of over 20,000 residents speaking 100 languages: 21.7% white, 30.5% Hispanic, 33.5% Black (including recent African immigrants), 7.7% Native American, and 6.5% other. Many faith communities are represented: Christian, Muslim, Native American, Buddhist, Hindu, and Jewish. The neighborhood has a history of intercultural youth conflict between these diverse populations.
Community elders have spent two years meeting to find solutions to this conflict, and have identified camping as a targeted activity to bring youth together. Minneapolis Swims, in partnership with the YMCA, Minneapolis Parks, Native American Somali Friendship Committee, Phillips Wilderness Expeditions, and Waite House proposes to provide swimming lessons and outdoor skills training in preparation for a two-day canoe trip on the St Croix River. Youth will naturally develop relationships and rapport with their community members while mastering the skills for an outdoor excursion in the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’.
Students completing the training will be invited to participate in the canoe and camping trip. Adults and teens with accomplished expeditionary skills will lead the trip. The youth will enjoy Minnesota’s natural resources, explore the river, set up camp, and prepare meals during the adventure.
Youth will develop authentic cross-cultural friendships while experiencing healthy alternatives to the violence and crime in the urban environment. Community created through action becomes a place to honor individual values and faith, and to build respect and trust among young people that they will bring back to their community.
About You
About You
First Name
Hannah
Last Name
Lieder
Country
United States, MN, Hennepin County
City
Minneapolis
Innovation
Title
Creating Community Outdoors
What is your best idea to build bonds and work together across cultures and faiths in your community?
Phillips neighborhood, in the heart of Minneapolis, is home to a diverse population of over 20,000 residents speaking 100 languages: 21.7% white, 30.5% Hispanic, 33.5% Black (including recent African immigrants), 7.7% Native American, and 6.5% other. Many faith communities are represented: Christian, Muslim, Native American, Buddhist, Hindu, and Jewish. The neighborhood has a history of intercultural youth conflict between these diverse populations.
Community elders have spent two years meeting to find solutions to this conflict, and have identified camping as a targeted activity to bring youth together. Minneapolis Swims, in partnership with the YMCA, Minneapolis Parks, Native American Somali Friendship Committee, Phillips Wilderness Expeditions, and Waite House proposes to provide swimming lessons and outdoor skills training in preparation for a two-day canoe trip on the St Croix River. Youth will naturally develop relationships and rapport with their community members while mastering the skills for an outdoor excursion in the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’.
Students completing the training will be invited to participate in the canoe and camping trip. Adults and teens with accomplished expeditionary skills will lead the trip. The youth will enjoy Minnesota’s natural resources, explore the river, set up camp, and prepare meals during the adventure.
Youth will develop authentic cross-cultural friendships while experiencing healthy alternatives to the violence and crime in the urban environment. Community created through action becomes a place to honor individual values and faith, and to build respect and trust among young people that they will bring back to their community.
Impact and Sustainability
How will your idea have a positive impact on your community?
Minneapolis Swims has worked tirelessly for over two years to obtain capital funding to re-open the pool in the renovated Phillips Community Center, and we are in the final stages of approval. The pool, closed in 2008, is the only public facility that can provide swimming instruction, where 38% of families live below the poverty line. Community members met many times with state and municipal officials, advocating for the importance of access to swimming that can help save lives and allow full access to Minnesota’s outdoor experience.
Minnesota has the highest drowning rates for African American and Native American children in the nation. By demonstrating that aquatic mastery can create healthy choices for inner city youth, Minneapolis Swims can build greater awareness of the need for equitable swimming education in the Minnesota Physical Education standards.
This pilot project will show that our youth benefit by participating in a healthy multicultural experience which links them to their environment and builds community organically through shared experience and teamwork. The non-profit organizations involved in the project are committed to improving the lives of urban youth, and will provide their services at a low cost. The program expenditures include a nominal fee for swimming lessons and transportation to the YMCA, stipends for expedition instructors, local canoe rental for training, rental fees for canoe and camping gear on the St Croix, transportation and food expenses for the canoe trip, and local facility rental and community building events as we prepare for the excursion.
What do you think the lasting effect will be if your idea is implemented?
Minneapolis Swims believes that this model can be expanded in the Phillips community with our identified partners as we undergo construction during the pool renovation. We will continue to seek grant opportunities, as well as partnerships with schools, parks, and colleges or universities, to provide ongoing opportunities for our youth. Once construction is complete, we will provide the swimming and outdoor skills instruction in the Phillips Community Center. We are seeking additional grants to procure an inventory of camping gear.
Graduates of our program will share their experiences with their peers at school, and in their faith communities. Students will prepare presentations about their experiences and will feel confident sharing their reflections with other youth and adults. We will seek opportunities for them to tell their stories, showing the positive effects of this program for potential financial underwriters. Twice a year, our graduates will participate in Mississippi River clean up projects.
Minneapolis Swims is developing a legislative policy initiative to include swimming instruction as part of the Minnesota Physical Education standards. We are preparing a pilot program initiative for swimming and science education to present to our local schools for the 2013-14 school year. Program graduates will help us demonstrate their positive learning experiences.
This program will serve as a regional and national model for other organizations to replicate. We will eagerly share our findings and knowledge with other swimming organizations, park and recreation centers, and educational institutions.
 | Hannah Lieder updated this Competition Entry. - 408 days ago |
| Hannah Lieder updated this Competition Entry. - 421 days ago |
 | Hannah Lieder submitted this idea. - 421 days ago |
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