Summer Programs
Providing Opportunities for the Mind, Body and Spirit
Summer programs allow students a chance to grow and excel in ways that serve each individual child best. One of the most troubling issues facing educators is the disparity in educational achievement between low- and high-income students. Research shows that the achievement gap widens during the summer months, for obvious reasons. From June to September, students with resources typically have access to a variety of opportunities--camps, private lessons, and travel--while youth from poorer families may spend their summers watching TV, hanging out with friends, or "doing nothing." Affordable summer programming is one way to significantly lessen this gap for high-risk students (Entwisle & Alexander). Research also suggests that summer programs can prevent kids from regressing in many academic and life skill areas. This can be especially true for students with special needs.
Changing the Nature of School
Summer camp is an ideal time for students to experience school in a completely different context. Students might have a new inspiring teacher from the community that specializes in a skill or experience taught in a more casual and fun way. The typical constraints of school do not apply to camp, and yet learning is never compromised. A consistent goal of the 21st CCLC program has been finding a path for every student to succeed--especially those who have not found success on the traditional path of text-based classroom education. The social philosopher, John Dewey, once suggested that all education should derive from experience, reflection, and practical skills. Although few educators would disagree with this notion, most would admit it is very difficult to implement during the regular school day.
Finding a Path for Every Student to Succeed
The biggest challenge for educators is addressing the different needs of individual students. For example, some students need remedial math or English help so they can catch up to their peers, others have difficulty developing relationships with their teachers or peers, while other students simply get bored because they don't see a connection between school and their personal lives. We try to capitalize on our students' interests and strengths. Our programs incorporate a balance of activities that will help students be successful in communicating and socializing with their adult and peers, stretch their physical limits through sports/recreation and outdoor adventure, and strengthen their academic skills--many of them without even knowing it. We want all students to feel successful, whether that success is related to academics, social/emotional competence, physical fitness, or all three!
Learning is Embedded in Everything We Do
Western Massachusetts is one of the best learning environments in the country. It is rich in natural and historic treasures. It is easy to create summer camp themes that are related our students' daily experiences. Within each camp's theme are activities which incorporate academic skills and content. Students apply and extend their knowledge in all the traditional disciplines as well as the arts and technology. Below is a partial list of the camp themes we have offered during the last few years:
- Outdoor Adventure and Youth Leadership Youth become acquainted with the leadership skills required to lead their peers through successful and safe outdoor adventures, including hiking, mountain biking, rafting, orienteering and backpacking.
- Connecticut River Watershed: From Awareness to Action Students explored the local watershed via canoes and hiking trails, tested the water quality, examined the different habitats for flora and fauna with fishing poles, dip nets and plankton nets.
- Roots to the Future Students explored how the rich Connecticut River valley soils provided the necessary environment for generations of immigrants as well as a thriving network of modern farms. Students maintained school garden and nearby farms to sample local-grown crops.
- Let's Boogie! Fitness and WellnessStudents learned how and why they should take care of their bodies. Through cooking and stress release classes, and a variety of fitness options, the students started to develop positive habits that could last a lifetime. Using digital heart rate monitors, the students could measure how close they were getting to their target heart rates as they improved their fitness and wellness.
- Understanding Our Strengths as LearnersStudents experienced a variety of challenges, from juggling to stilt walking, and even Multiple Intelligence self-assessments so they could better understand themselves as learners. Only after students understand how they learn best, can they apply this awareness to help them succeed in school and life!
Our 21st Century afterschool programs serve students and families at sites in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. Many of our summer themes have been developed into curriculum which other 21st Century summer programs have adopted.
If you are interested in learning more about our curriculum and professional development, please contact us:
Christopher Taggart
21st Century Learning Centers
Collaborative for Educational Services
123B Hawley Street, Northampton, MA 01060
413.586.4998 x106
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