This year summer programs at KidWorks might not look like our traditional summer programs due to COVID-19 —but they are filled with fun and hope, two things all students can benefit from. Programs run from July 6 through the 17th and will be run virtually to ensure the safety of our campers, staff and volunteers.
Our 2020 summer theme is “Camp Hope,” which reflects our deep belief and faith that our hope at all times is ultimately with and in Jesus. That’s not new; our summer programs have always had a strong component of Bible study and other faith-growing experiences.
As you might expect, our plans are for a virtual summer session conducted entirely online. That does present certain challenges, since many of the families we serve have limited access to technology, including the Internet, computers and laptops. We are finding creative and flexible ways to address this issue.
During Camp Hope, KidWorks will provide programs/activities for both students and their families. Food distribution and wellness checks will continue to take place in conjunction with summer camp.
Here’s a snapshot of what Camp Hope will look like during the session:
Kindergarten through fifth grade
Each day will be packed with wonderful experiences for our youngsters.
The theme for Week 1 is “Personal Hope” and Week 2’s theme is “Hope for the community/world.” These support the umbrella theme of “Hope & Resilience.”
The Bible study aspect will help the kids focus on this key verse from Romans 15:13:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him…”
Each day will have a specific focus area:
Monday: Lesson Launch
Tuesday: Fit videos and a fitness challenge posted online so students can follow along remotely. Small Group Review breakout sessions, which will include a bingo game featuring high-frequency words (words that occur most often, such as “the,” “it,” etc.), Geography Jeopardy, math multiplication contests, and more.
Wednesday: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Activity, as well as a focus on art that alternates with science experiments.
Thursday: Recap/Food Distribution
Friday: Fun Day
Youth
These students will meet online three times a week with a focus on social/emotional development. Included will be ample time for our youth to bond and get to know each other better.
Activities will include a large weekly online gathering at each of our four centers, formatted for socializing and re-energizing, as well as small online gatherings twice a week, grouped by site/grade level.
“Like all young people today, the youth in our program face a very challenging time,” says Melissa Garcia, a Program Leader at our Dan Donahue Center. “For this reason, our summer youth program will play a pivotal role where the youth can have deep discussions about what’s on their minds through our Taboo Talks breakouts.”
Adds Melissa, “Activities will include weekly gatherings, real conversations, movie and game nights, and more. We urge all youth enrolled in our programs to fully take part.”
College
KidWorks college students will have virtual gatherings to bond and prepare for the academic year ahead. The class of 2020 high school seniors will be included in this group.
The major component of our summer college program is a four week program, running July 9-30, called “College2Career.” It is being entirely led and sponsored by PIMCO, who define themselves as “one of the world’s leading premier fixed income investment managers.”
The specific focus for each week will be:
Week 1 -- College/Career Panel and Mentoring sessions.
Week 2 -- Leading the Conversation: Communication, presentation and soft skills, the importance of personal brand.
Week 3 — Financial literacy & budgeting
Week 4 — Managing Your Future: Time management Skills, managing the college transition, priorities and your future career.
“PIMCO has been an amazing KidWorks partner, committed to helping our students achieve those dreams,” says Erika Sanchez, our College and Career Coordinator. “For instance, in 2018, they generously sponsored a hands-on learning workshop at their offices for 23 of our fourth and fifth graders where the kids learned computer coding and even developed their own video games.”
Adds SueLynn Kim, KidWorks’ Partnership and Donor Relations Coordinator: “PIMCO has walked alongside KidWorks students for close to a decade. During a time when every industry is encouraged to think innovatively and creatively, we are so grateful that PIMCO employees are finding ways to virtually engage with their community. Our high school and college students have the pleasure and honor of participating in PIMCO’s virtual College2Career series, which will not only provide direction and resources for college and career success but also allow our students to connect with professionals who truly care for their wellbeing. We are so appreciative of our continued partnership with PIMCO.”
Parents
For the first time, parent classes and activities will be offered virtually/online over the summer. The Parent Advisory Council is busy surveying the families served by KidWorks to gather their input on what classes and activities they would find to be the most meaningful.
We have every confidence that our summer “Camp Hope” program will be a complete and total “virtual” success for our students and their parents. Look for an August eNews update that recaps all the fun.
Look for an in-depth recap of the summer experience at KidWorks later this season. In the meantime, we will build on our past summer traditions with additional “just for 2020” stimulating, safe and uplifting activities for our students.
By Glenn Leibowitz, volunteer writer