Help D.P.F Camp 4H

This petition is to prevent the planned 50\% cut in funding for Cornell Cooperative Extension by Nassau County, resulting in the lack of funding and possible closure of Dorothy P Flint 4H Camp. In the 84 years of our camping program (1924-present), close to 500,000 youngsters and adults have been reached through year-round programs. The volunteer efforts of adults and youth have helped to build and maintain most of the structures located on the property.

The focus of our year round 4-H camp program is to instill in Nassau County and Long Island youth an understanding an appreciation for the unique ecology of Long Island, as well as the important role that each citizen plays in maintaining a strong and healthy environment. 4-H camp programs are designed to help develop individuals to the best of their abilities, improve health, and help
youngsters find life goals. If the severe budget cuts made my Nassau County go through then it will seriously limit Cornells funding for Camp 4h and prevent it from being able to offer such a wonderful summer programme for many youngsters.
The Camp is more than just a place where kids go to play sports, build things, do low ropes and high ropes challenges and do outdoor cooking. To many it is a second home a place where they have had the best days of their lives and made some of their best friends. They have come across counsellors from all over the world who have travelled there and continue to every year just to work with them and see their smiling faces. Some of these kids do not receive that much love and attention in their home lives and counsellors to them are people who give them their time and devotion to help them overcome problems and build their confidence and most importantly put smiles on their faces. Camp 4H is a wonderful place that signifies everything that is good about America, it opens its doors to anyone from around the world and welcomes them with open arms. To allow them to cut the funding for such a special place would be destroying youngsters dreams, it would be closing the door on 84 years of truly wonderful history.
All that we ask is that you please sign the petition and tell Nassau County that you do not believe that they are right in making such a severe cut in a place in which young children have come to regard as a home to them.