The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
W-E camp geared for at-risk students
Summer Learning Camp, a new camp run by the Willoughby-Eastlake School District, keeps students in grades kindergarten through eighth grade from falling down the “summer slide.”
This is the first year for the camp, previously known as Jump Start. Superintendent Steve Thompson said that after doing a comprehensive review of parent, teacher and student feedback, this camp will target more of what will help at-risk students.
Students considered “at-risk” are usually at grade-level performance, but could fall behind without added help from programs such as the Summer Learning Camp.
The Wallace Foundation, a national organization to promote education, states that by the end of the summer, students perform one month behind where they left off in the spring. Thompson says the camp is trying to close this academic gap.
“The earlier we can close that gap the more likely a child can stay on track,” he said.
The camp has almost 300 students in attendance, a majority of whom were recommended to attend by their teachers.
Program coordinator Gina Brown says the goal is to lessen the learning regression that often occurs over the summer. One way to achieve this is through theming the weeks to better engage students in the learning process. Themes include Cleveland sports, animals, outer space and tropical beach.
The camp has garnered support from many local businesses, such as the Willoughby-Eastlake Library and the Akron Zoo.
Lori Caszatt, the communications and development manager for the Willoughby-Eastlake Library, explained that the library will be providing arts and crafts for students to get them excited about learning. Students will also be able to take home a bag full of library information and giveaways to promote summer reading.
“It is important to us to show these kids how fun the library and reading can be,” Caszatt said.