Empowering Summer Adventures: The Summer Joy Fund

We are so ecstatic to have year 2 of the Summer Joy Fund, a dedicated initiative to provide DPS students with access to summer camps at no cost. Understanding the importance of summer enrichment in shaping young minds, we established this fund to remove financial barriers and ensure that DPS children have the opportunity to experience the joy, learning, and growth that summer camps offer. Through our funding, students who might not otherwise have had the chance are now able to participate in camps that foster creativity, teamwork, and personal development.

This year, we were able to support 5 different summer camps with $13,000 total. The following camps received support from us: 

Calvary Summer Camp $1,500 - West End Community Foundation, Inc.

Camp Calvary provides summer campers with academic enrichment and recreational activities. It has two 4-week sessions from June to August. Campers are guided through weekly lessons that emphasize the spiritual, academic, and social development of youth rising in grades K-7. Camp was held from June 17th to August 9th this year. This summer’s theme is DIG Into S.T.E.A.M.–The Science of Growing. 

Freedom Schools Program Summer 2024 $2,000 - Children's Defense Fund 

The CDF Freedom Schools program enhances children’s motivation to read and makes them feel good about learning. At the same time, the program connects families to the right resources in their communities. CDF Freedom Schools scholars engage in CDF’s research-based, multicultural Integrated Reading Curriculum (IRC) that supports them and their families through 5 essential components: 

  • High quality academic enrichment 

  • Parent and family development 

  • Civic engagement and social action

  • Intergenerational servant leadership and development 

  • Nutrition, health, and mental health 

LEAP Summer Camp $1,500 - Durham LEAP

LEAP PreK Spanish Immersion and Elementary Enrichment: Play-based Summer activities all In Spanish! This was a full immersion experience for students. Campers learned days of the week, colors, greetings, and more all through songs, games, and play based activities led by bilingual LEAP teachers. 1 on 1 tutoring was provided on site with special cmap activities such as cooking, nature filled activities, and gardening. 

Wytha Balance Yoga Summer Camp $1,000 - Bull City Yoga Collective

The camp is separated into three different age groups. Living Yoga is for ages 6 through 8, yoga around the world is for ages 9 through 12, and the tween yoga camp is for ages 13 through 15. During the camp the students also study new languages, sample food from different cultures, and create artwork. Students have the chance to develop cooperation skills, sportsmanship, and social skills.

Hub Farm Summer Camp $7,000 - DPS Hub Farm

Students participated in outdoor, hands-on activities four days a week. Activities included cooking, art, habitat exploration, and vocabulary acquisition.Goals for the camps include 3 big things! (1) Nature Connection - Being an all outside camp, we are committed to connecting students with nature through exploration, observation, and investigation. (2) Community - Bringing together Durham Public Schools' students and teachers allows the Hub Farm camp to foster a lasting community. Morning meetings and weekly reflections help to create community between both teachers and students. (3) Academic vocabulary - Through authentic experiences, Hub Farm Summer Camp teachers expose students to upcoming academic vocabulary for their next grade level.

Through the Summer Joy Fund, we are not just investing in summer camps; we are investing in the future of our community.

Taylor Outler