Genesis Celebrates Two Successful Summers of STREAM Camps

Kids Building Bikes and Photography in Nature

(Southeast Indiana) - Genesis: Pathways to Success is proud to celebrate the successful conclusion of two engaging A Summer of STREAM camps: Kids Building Bikes and Photography in Nature. Through hands-on experiences, students explored STREAM concepts, creativity, problem-solving, and career pathways while building valuable skills and confidence.

The Kids Building Bikes Camp provided students with the unique opportunity to assemble their own bicycles while learning mechanical aptitude, bicycle maintenance, and engineering concepts. Throughout the week, campers installed wheels, pedals, brake systems, water bottle holders, and other key components while exploring topics such as torque, gear ratios, and bicycle mechanics.

Genesis is incredibly grateful for its financial partnership with the Baxter International Foundation who helped provide this experience for our campers. We’re also grateful for Nine13sports, whose Kids Building Bikes program has educated thousands of youth through bicycle-based STEM education and workforce development. Nine13sports students explore bicycle history, learn to identify bike parts, and use real tools to maintain and assemble a bicycle. Along the way, they build essential lifelong skills such attention to detail, collaboration, and critical thinking.

The camp concluded with students officially completing their bicycles and taking them for a ride around the Franklin County Schools campus and surrounding neighborhoods. "It was exciting to watch the students grow more confident each day," said Josie Wolfe, Summer Program and Engagement Intern. "By the end of the week, they weren't just learning new skills, they were proud of what they had created."

The Photography in Nature camp allowed students to develop both technical and artistic photography skills. Campers immersed themselves in the outdoors by hiking at Versailles State Park and visiting Capability Farm, where they explored and photographed more than 250 acres of preserved natural landscape. Throughout the week, students also developed their photography skills by learning photo editing and Adobe Photoshop techniques, enhancing the images they captured during their adventures. In addition to developing their photography skills, campers learned about the mission of the Carson Hughes Foundation and the lasting legacy of Carson Hughes, a talented young wildlife photographer whose passion for nature continues to inspire others. Mandy Hughes, Carson's mother, spent time with the students sharing stories about Carson's life, his love for the outdoors, and the importance of slowing down to appreciate the beauty of the natural world.

Genesis extends its sincere gratitude to the many partners who helped make Photography in Nature Camp a success. Thank you to the Tyson Fund for its generous financial support, which made Photography in Nature Camp possible. Thank you to Capability Farms for welcoming campers and providing a unique opportunity to photograph wildlife and explore the beauty of nature firsthand. We are also grateful to Southeastern Career Center for providing the space and resources for students to edit and enhance their photographs, introducing them to valuable digital photography skills. A special thank you to Youth to Yellowstone for generously lending cameras and supporting the camp experience, giving students hands-on access to professional equipment. We want to thank Brush and Pallet Frame Shop for their in-kind donation by mounting all the pictures our young photographers captured. Finally, Genesis is deeply appreciative of Mandy Hughes and the Carson Hughes Foundation for sharing Carson's legacy and inspiring campers to develop a deeper appreciation for nature.

If you would like to learn more about Genesis: Pathways to Success or have questions regarding summer programming, please visit www.genesisp2s.org, email info@genesisp2s.org, call 812-933-1098, or visit 13 East George Street, Suite B, Batesville, IN 47006.