This summer, 113 youth in K-8 participated in Summer Camp! Campers in K-8 were offered:
- 40 Summer Camp days
- Breakfast, lunch, and one snack per day
- 64 academic hours consisting of reading, math, and practical life skills
- Daily Bible instruction and prayer
- A variety of extracurricular activities and field trips
Bible Time
Each morning began with chapel time, which included prayer, Scripture memory, and peacemaking lessons. In the classrooms, each class reflected on a Bible story by exploring the questions: What does this tell us about God? About ourselves? About our need for Jesus? Are there any examples of peacemaking? Coloring sheets and journaling activities also supported these lessons.
Academic Time
Each age group spent approximately two hours a day, Monday through Thursday, working on reading, math, and practical life skills. Kindergarten and 1st grade students worked through curriculum designed to strengthen literacy and math skills. Second and 3rd grade students used LitArt’s picture book curriculum, while 4th and 5th grade students used LitArt’s chapter book curriculum.
Middle school students spent two weeks each on current events, a novel study using a LitArt novel of their choice, a poetry study, and a Scholastic magazine study featuring a special edition for the 250th anniversary of the USA.
Many students also received additional support through one-on-one tutoring. Volunteers were a great addition to Summer Camp, with several groups participating in both study time and extracurricular activities. Individual volunteers supported learning in the classrooms and in the one-on-one tutoring room.
Extracurricular Activities
Each group spent one week in the art room with Mrs. Christy, along with a week or more participating in a variety of extracurricular activities, including healthy eating and cooking, emotional health, STEM, gym time, crafts, and daily project or tinkering time. Students also enjoyed a craft day and a carnival hosted by the LEDC’s Summer Leadership Program.
Fourth through 8th grade students expanded their project time to create a back-to-school market. Each group made items, including fidgets, keychains, and pencil pouches, and “sold” them at the end-of-summer celebration. Through the project, students practiced budgeting and planning skills while gaining an introduction to concepts such as business planning and marketing. Students enjoyed the opportunity, and PSM hopes to expand the idea into a Christmas market in December.
Field Trips/Fun Fridays
During the first four weeks, each group rotated through a movie day on the big screen, a water day, and a local field trip to the Florida Children’s Museum, bowling, or Skate World.
Students also enjoyed larger field trips to The Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, MOSI, and Rock Springs.
Bonus fun: The Polk County Sheriff’s Office brought its ice cream truck for a special visit!
Updates
Thirteen high schoolers also participated in the Workforce Lab program. Learn more by clicking here.
Finally, through the Start Smart Education Essentials campaign, 157 students (as of August 11) started school prepared with backpacks, school supplies, uniforms, etc. Learn more here!
Take a look at highlights from this year’s Summer Camp & Workforce Lab!
__________
Parker Street Ministries (PSM) is a 501c3 in Lakeland, Florida, that follows a Gospel-centered model characterized by living, listening, affirming dignity, and building community together in and through the Parker Street neighborhood. Parker Street Ministries is committed to Gospel-centered community development through the focus areas of: Fostering Spiritual Growth so Christ and His Gospel are front and center, Supporting Lifetime Learners through educational opportunities, Stabilizing the Neighborhood by addressing the quality and availability of housing, and Cultivating Connections so gaps in relationships and services are bridged.