Summer Scholars is a four-day, multi-age, culturally responsive learning day camp for children. The program focuses on literacy, skills-based activities, and learning through play and creativity. Through the second annual Summer Scholars in August 2024, each child was empowered to enter their classrooms in the fall with at least a seed of an idea: that reading and learning can be a joyful experience.
Learning Activities
The Summer Scholars program has five components: seminar, small-group learning, recess, art, and reading aloud. The program’s learning opportunities empower young scholars to build a community and culture with their peers and with adult mentors.
The program impacts scholars in five areas: Belonging, Executive Functioning, Genius, Joy, and Leadership. Mentors intentionally cultivate an environment where every young person feels recognized, valued, and included through words and actions, authentic connections, and shared experiences. In such a welcoming space, scholars are able to grow in multiple areas and be role models to each other.
Each day had a theme, discussion, and related craft or activity. Every morning, scholars and adult mentor discussed a standard and accompanying affirmation from NdCAD’s 21 Standards of Healthy African Community Deck, which are meant to be used in multi-age groups. Scholars of all ages were able to participate in discussion and learn from each other and adult mentors. These shared standards and affirmations helped set the tone for each day and built community and collective wisdom. Scholars took the initiative to support and affirm each other, as well as to model behavior for younger children.
Click to view the NdCAD standards and affirmations used in Summer Scholars.
After the seminar, scholars split into small groups based on literacy level and ages, led by at least one adult mentor. Scholars engaged in independent reading, guided reading, skills-based activities, and learning through play and creativity.
Next came lunch and recess—both very important for young scholars! For lunch, the whole group of scholars and adults worked together to make and serve a meal, which contributed to a shared sense of group culture. Recess offered another opportunity for children to explore, have fun, and demonstrate expertise in climbing, running, throwing footballs, and helping others.
The children returned to learning through an art activity, which was tied to the morning’s affirmation. Scholars made family trees, a group puzzle, and water balloon protectors, exercising their creativity.
The group ended each day with a conversational reflection and a time to read aloud, during which scholars demonstrated their skill and encouraged each other.
Celebrating Success
Day 4 was Family Day. Scholars were able to see and share their successes and learning with family members—and test their unique water balloon contraptions in front of a larger audience! Each young person received a certificate of completion and some public, individualized comments on their strengths and the ways in which they had grown over the program. Families enjoyed a pizza party and celebrated together. Summer Scholars 2024 was a success!
CYS staff and volunteers partner with families throughout the school year. If you’d like to be involved in the work we do, there are multiple ways to partner with us.
Empowering Children and Families
You can support Simpson’s work with families impacted by homelessness in several ways. Volunteer with the CYS team as a tutor or youth group mentor and support families by making a gift through Tools for School.
Learn more about CYS programs here.