Summer is a magical time full of fun, physical and emotional growth. However, time away from school can cause a “summer slide” that can put students behind academically.
While summer learning loss can affect anyone; students who lack access to the support of educational summer programs can disproportionately fall behind and are at risk of losing two to three months in reading or math achievement.
Here are a few of the amazing recipients who provided summer opportunities for over 1,700 students in our area. These summer programs provide academic support, cultural enrichment, nutritious meals and snacks in addition to all-around summer fun for children.
Rankin Christian Center Sawari Camp provides summer fun for K-6 students as they explore different aspects of African American culture: such as dance, art, drumming and language to boost the camper’s confidence and identity. The camp offers STEM, acting, improv, graffiti, taekwondo, swimming and field trips.
Casa San Jose Campamento Sonriso, offers a variety of activities, such as: arts and crafts, field trips, swimming, games, gardening, mindfulness, yoga, dance, reading and a summer festival. The camp conducts a culturally sensitive curriculum, with activities in Spanish and English, to help the children maintain their bilingual skills and learn grammar.
The Children of She Entrepreneurial Summer Camp covers, public speaking, critical thinking and planning to help children communicate effectively, lead, and express their opinions.
Hosanna House, Inc. Hope Academy’s Soaring Summer Camp offers a STEM-rich summer camp program rotating through modules such as Makerspace, Aviation and Environmental Science, with recreational activities and field trips.
This Generation Connect Community Leaders Summer Program helps at-risk students overcome negative self-image, underexposure to the world beyond their neighborhoods and disengagement from community service. The program utilizes mentoring, capacity building, skill and character development, community service and cultural knowledge.
Young Black Motivated Kings & Queens (YBMKQ) provides safe spaces for students to learn, explore and heal from trauma. The program offers academic support, cultural experiences and trauma-focused sessions that emphasize emotional well-being and Black joy, preparing students for the next school year and exposing them to professional opportunities.
Open Field Future Forward is a year-round program for teenagers from immigrant and refugee communities in Allegheny County that combines soccer, life skills, post-secondary exploration and career readiness. The program applies the principles of Positive Youth Development and trauma-informed coaching to promote social-emotional learning and create a safe space for participants to grow and explore.
The Legacy Arts Project, Inc. Summer Arts Program provides activities that foster identity, skill building and inclusion for K-12 students. The program collaborates with various organizations across the city to provide quality and impactful daily art programming in dance, drumming, visual arts and media arts, facilitated by teaching artists and instructors.
Dragon’s Den Summer Fun offers a therapeutic and educational approach for children of diverse backgrounds and abilities. The camp offers a challenge course and integrates the Mindful Young Minds program, which teaches children to think through and manage stress, and other innovative activities in STEM, arts, sports and outdoor adventures.
Community Human Services McKeesport Family Shelter identified resident children to greatly benefit from personalized tutoring and enriching experiences to support academic development and prevent summer learning loss.
Queens Gambit Chess Institute partners with 10 organizations to provide chess programs for grades 2-12 from marginalized and underfunded communities. The students will learn to play chess from youth instructors, apply fundamental concepts and draw parallels between the game and real-life scenarios.
Aliquippa Impact City Camp is a summer program for grades 1-6 offering a variety of activities such as clubs, developmental assets, emotional learning centers, cultural themes, STEM, art and social awareness projects.
Pittsburgh Contingency distributed funds to Mt. Washington Community Center, a recreation center hosting 18 after-school and recreation programs, and Shadow Student Athletes, a non-profit organization whose mission is to have every student-athlete transition their competitive nature into a classroom setting.
Community Empowerment Association, Inc. Kamp Kuumba provides empowering and culturally affirming education and experiences to at-risk and underserved youth. The program offers workshops and activities to enhance the student’s emotional well-being, academic readiness and cultural awareness by leading sessions on social and emotional learning, academic enrichment, arts and crafts, wellness and STEAM activities.
Helping Ourselves Produce Excellence for Tomorrow, Inc. K.E.Y.S. to the Promise Summer Camp offers dance, art and sports electives and one-hour addendum classes covering natural hair care, art techniques, proper hygiene, financial literacy and nutrition. The camp engages campers in reading and math activities daily, along with life skills classes covering topics such as mental health, coding and character development.
Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh (BCAP) summer program supports the well-being of immigrant and refugee students in grades 1-5 through daily academics, STEAM, art, music and physical activities.
Hill Dance Academy Theatre provides summer dance training for students aged 5 to 18, with various dance styles, leadership and discipline classes and electives in arts and design, including a showcase at the end of the program.
Melting Pot Ministries summer program offers a variety of activities that expose campers to sports, gardening and healthy eating while also focusing on reading, math and STEAM activities. The students attend field trips, weekly swimming sessions and trips to community parks and libraries.
Center that C.A.R.E.S. provides a safe and quality learning environment for K-12 students during the summer with fun, themed activities including hands-on STEAM activities, culture and arts projects, field trips and entrepreneurship skill building.
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Thank you to all the summer programs who protected and supported our students this season!
If you or someone you know needs out-of-school care or summer programs, visit Allegheny Childcare.