Fun in the Sun Summer Day Camp

Michigan Nightlight: In your view, what makes your program innovative, effective or remarkable?
United Methodist Community House Program Coordinator Greg Peacock: Even when they’re playing, our kids are learning even though they may not realize it! We work with the children each day to improve their social interaction skills and etiquette, as well as how to function appropriately in a group setting. Each day, the children have group reading activities

Every child learns differently and each one comes to the table with different perceptions of life, learning and social skills.

and the opportunity for quiet reading on their own. They are afforded the benefit of working in our computer lab and are responsible for showing and sharing their computer knowledge.
 
Our program takes the interests of children, like fun, games, trips, and activities, and combines them with intentional academic enrichment and character-building exercises that are both stimulating and effective for their development. 
 
What was the best lesson learned in the past year?
To let the kids tell you what they don’t know and don’t understand -- so that you can fill in the gaps and add definition and support to what they will need to know in order to achieve.
 
What was the hardest lesson learned in the past year? 
Overcoming developmental diversity and barriers was the hardest lesson learned in the past year. Every child learns differently and each one comes to the table with different perceptions of life, learning and social skills.
 
What really differentiates this program?
Since most of our program participants come from low-income homes, we try to expose them to the best that life has to offer. We expose them to events, learning styles, and principles that children in low-income urban communities may not normally

We expose them to events, learning styles, and principles that children in low-income urban communities may not normally get a chance to experience because of the lack of resources, support, and time in the home.

get a chance to experience because of the lack of resources, support, and time in the home. Our food program is nutritious, and we discuss in groups the need for healthy eating, drinking lots of water, and doing some sort of exercise each day to maintain good physical and mental health.
 
And of course, each day at camp there are activities specific to physical exercise and movement.
 
What are the keys to success for your program?
A great staff! Our lead teacher, Brenda Clark [who instructs pre-elementary classes at United Methodist Community House] and her team from our Summer Youth Employment Program makes this program a success. We have a staff of knowledgeable professionals who know how to operate a well-oiled engine of fun and opportunities for our program participants. Our instructors use word and number games to facilitate language and math skill building and they use arts and crafts to encourage creativity and personal expression.
 
How do you find and organize the resources needed to make your summer camp program happen? 
We do our research on what programs and supplies, as well as resources are needed, which would be best for the demographic of participants that we serve. We extend the opportunity to local organizations and individuals to invest in what we believe to be a promising and rewarding venture.