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Themes By Week: Kickstart and Discovery
Kickstart Academy: “My Community, My World” Skills
Discoverers Academy: "Community Connections: Helping, Leading, Belonging”
This Session:
- Introduces the idea of community through familiar settings such as school, family, and helpers.
- Focuses on cooperation, kindness, sharing, and learning how to be part of a group.
- Supports early social‑emotional growth and a strong sense of belonging.
Skills Strengthened
- Builds social awareness, empathy, and belonging
- SEL foundation at the start of summer
- Integration of community helpers / service learning: Camp Cares!
- Works across both academics and play
Sample Activities
- Community helpers (and the roles they play)
- Summer program community vs. neighborhood vs. town
- Camp Cares Service projects (age-appropriate)
- Problem-solving in a community (fairness, kindness, safety)
- Maps, places, and ideas for community helpers
Cross-Curricular Fit
- Literacy: letters, thank-you notes, storytelling, job interviews
- Math: counting helpers, building maps, graphing favorites
- STEM: designing a “better playground,” simple structures
- Arts: murals, props, role play
- SEL: cooperation, helping roles, responsibility
Kickstart Academy: “Little Explorers”
Discoverers Academy: “World Explorers & Young Investigators”
This Session:
- Encourages questioning, observation, experimentation
- Supports STEM with skilled teachers
- Emphasizes People, Animals and the places they live
Sample Activities Within the Theme
- Nature & outdoor exploration including animals and habitats
- Weather
- Maps, globes, and cultures
- How people explore (scientists, travelers, inventors)
Cross-Curricular Fit
- Literacy: nonfiction read-alouds, observation journals
- Math: measuring, sorting, comparing
- STEM: asking, predicting, building, testing
- Arts: animal art, world flags, texture studies
- Movement: scavenger hunts, obstacle challenges
Kickstart Academy: “Imagine, Create, Build!”
Discoverers Academy: “Inventors, Designers & Creators”
This Session:
- Invites campers to express ideas through art, building, music, and imaginative play.
- Emphasizes exploration, creativity, and trying new things.
- Joyful self‑expression.
Skills Strengthened
- Supports creativity and problem-solving
- Naturally includes arts and STEM
- Strengthens fine motor skills, confidence
Sample Activities Within the Theme
- Building challenges (blocks, recycled materials, LEGOs)
- Inventions that solve problems
- Art across different mediums
- Dramatic play & storytelling
- Simple machines and structures
Cross-Curricular Fit
- Literacy: storytelling, explaining designs
- Math: shapes, symmetry, measurement
- STEM: engineering design process
- Arts: visual art, music, drama
- SEL: perseverance, collaboration, confidence