Summer camp is in full swing at Miriam, and kids in grades K-8 are reading, playing sports and games, and…building balloon towers?
Campers are having a blast, but even during the fun, every activity has a purpose. These colorful balloon creations helped strengthen teamwork and collaboration skills, as the campers worked together to determine how to build their towers.
Tammy Slater, one of the Academic Boot Camp counselors, said she likes mixing these teambuilding activities into her camp curriculum. “They’ve worked hard all week, and this was a great activity for them. These skills are also important. And it’s camp! That’s what you do at camp!”
Another group made time capsules, to fit with the “Time Travel” camp theme. This same group worked on sight words and reading fluency, and they got their wiggles out doing an obstacle course in the gym.
Each camp group learns about topics through interactive projects that incorporate reading, writing and/or math. Campers are able to learn and demonstrate their knowledge of new information through their preferred learning style and individual abilities. In some camp groups, children receive 1:1 tutoring in reading, writing and math. Social skills camps teach a daily social or emotional skill and then reinforce it through fun activities such as games, sports, music and cooperative projects.
Miriam received a $90,000 grant from the St. Louis County Children’s Service Fund (CSF) to provide a free, full-day camp experience to 46 children who reside in St. Louis County. We are grateful that CSF recognizes that children who learn differently need an extra boost this summer.
This summer, a total of 118 campers will participate in Miriam camps, spread over three two-week sessions for grades K-8 and a mini session for grades 9-12.
“This past year, many children lost academic and social skills due to virtual learning,” said Beth Rose, director of the Miriam Learning Center. “Camp helps build or maintain skills over the summer and gets campers ready for the new school year.”
Whether they were jumping on a mini trampoline, working on reading skills, playing a game of Zingo or doing a group project, the campers’ smiles said it all – they’re happy to be at Miriam this summer!
