Nozzolio Secures $400,000 For Camp Babcock-hovey
Ovid– New York State Senator Michael F. Nozzolio today announced that he has secured $400,000 in state funding for the construction of a new science and technology center at Camp Babcock-Hovey. The announcement was made on the grounds of Camp Babcock-Hovey, located on the east shore of Seneca Lake in Ovid.
“This is a great day for all of our area Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts,” Senator Nozzolio said. “I couldn’t be more pleased to be able to secure this funding for Camp Babcock-Hovey, which is so valuable in teaching character, values and leadership skills to tomorrow’s leaders. This new science and technology center will help our youth learn the essential high-tech areas of math, science and technology in an exciting way.”
Camp Babcock-Hovey serves youths throughout Seneca, Ontario, Wayne and Yates counties by providing week-long camping opportunities. The science and technology center will be used year-round by schools and co-ed groups and during the summers by youth groups such as the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and 4-H. The new center will feature state-of-the-art science and technology programs focused around environmental sciences, engineering, aerospace, and other disciplines. Facilitators and faculty at the center will be a combination of scientists and technologists from many corporations, colleges, BOCES, and public and private K-12 schools.
Bob Dorn, Scout Executive for the Finger Lakes Council of the Boy Scouts of America, said, “On the behalf of the Finger Lakes Council, I would like to sincerely thank Senator Nozzolio for his on-going support of Camp Babcock-Hovey and the Boy Scouts. It is so important to get our kids excited about science and technology and teach them the skills that will allow them to succeed in the future job market. We are absolutely thrilled that the Senator was able to secure $400,000 for this project.”
The center will consist of three classrooms, one large lecture hall, a lab, kitchen, sleeping lodge, bathroom and shower facilities, telescope viewing deck, and a pavilion. Participants at the center will also be able to utilize the entire 350-acre Camp, which includes woods, fields, streams, wetland areas, a fishing pond, an Olympic-size pool, archery range, craft lodge, and three nature trails.
“Our local high-tech companies can only flourish if they have people trained in math, sciences and technology. By introducing young people to science in a camp setting, we will give our children a head-start on learning skills for the high-tech economy and ensure the future success of our region,” concluded Nozzolio.
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