Camp E. W. Young was established by a Norfolk child advocate, Eleanor White Young, over 60 years ago. The wife of the journal and Guide newspaper owner, Mrs. White organized a group of community activists who saw the need to establish a place where black youth from the city could enjoy a camp-like experience. The Waterfront site in what was then rural Norfolk County, was selected and purchased by the city. Norfolk has operated the camp ever since.
The school system took over the camp’s operation and began securing federal funding through Title I to finance it. In 1947, a year after Mrs. Young died, the camp was named in her honor.
Our Instructional Focus
Second Grade Program
For the 2025-2026 school year, Camp E. W. Young will offer three science programs. Beginning on August 25th, we will continue the Title I second grade program. With this program, second grade students receive 4 days of instruction delivered by Camp Young staff on the science portion of the Grade Two Integrated Curriculum. This program includes Nauticus instructors providing a science lesson on the first day of the 4-day experience.
Fifth Grade Program
The Elizabeth River Project's Shoreline Stabilization project at Camp Young. With this program, Title I fifth grade students receive lessons aligned to the Virginia Science Standards of Learning from Elizabeth River Project instructors on one prescheduled date. Students learn about the effects of weathering and erosion on the Earth's surface as they plant various wetland plants to help reduce and stop these processes that are negatively affecting the shoreline at Camp E. W. Young.
Sixth Grade Program
The Elizabeth River Project's Watershed and Water Quality Analysis project at Camp Young. With this program, Title I sixth grade students receive lessons aligned to the Virginia Science Standards of Learning from Elizabeth River Project instructors on one prescheduled date. Students will locate and explore wetlands, conduct water quality analysis, and identify common organisms from the Elizabeth River watershed. They will also graph water quality results, investigate trends, and discuss factors that influence the health of the river.
Green STEM Summer Camp
During the summer, we offer a FREE two-week STEM Camp. During Green STEM Summer Camp, we provide Norfolk Public Schools Title I third through seventh grade students with an innovative learning experience including math enrichment, robotics, STEM challenges, guest speakers in STEM fields, and two off-site field trips (one field trip is to a college campus). The students are at Green STEM Summer Camp from 9am until 3pm. Transportation is provided by Norfolk Public Schools buses and students receive free Norfolk Public Schools breakfast and lunch while at Summer Camp.
Norfolk Technical Center's Work Based Learning Camp Young Beautification Program
The Norfolk Technical Center's Work Based Learning Beautification Program. With this program, the carpentry and HVAC students of the Norfolk Technical Center are completing various projects to help beautify and maintain the buildings and other areas at Camp Young.
Our Mission and Vision
- To be a model instructional program that supports the teaching of SOL-aligned science and math concepts through unique and innovative classroom experiences.
- To provide opportunities for students that will enhance their use of 21st century skills while becoming college and career ready.
- To involve students in STEM related activities that will allow them to embrace the habits of mind necessary to occupy STEM jobs that are currently non-existent.
- To create increased opportunities for parents to become involved in the educational life of their children while embracing global awareness and environmental stewardship.
Our SMARTe Goal
During the 2025-2026 school year, 100% of Title I second grade students attending a four-day innovative Environmental science instructional experience and Title I fifth and sixth grade students attending a one-day science experience at Camp Young will accurately analyze charts, graphs, and diagrams to increase their proficiency on the post assessment by 15% (10% for SPED students) in comparison to their pre assessment score.
