Fresh Ed Blog
Ready for Summer? - February 2022 - T. Pusl
One morning in early January our Academic Director, Dr. Tubbs, said, “We need to plan for summer camp!”
What?!? It’s January! It’s 60 degrees out and camp is six months away!
Yet, on January 31st we had our first Summer Camp 2022 registration!
That made me rethink the value of Summer Camp and ask, “Why is summer camp important?”
Let’s set the scene:
Parents and guardians/caregivers for young ones rely on educational institutions to provide not only education but child care. They can predict that September through June, their kids are in school and are cared for…
THEN, there is Summer; approximately two months without structure and without child care- EEEEK!
Summer camp and family vacations that keep kids entertained during the summer months are also a fundamental part of keeping kids safe and engaged during the summer.
Since March 2020, and with ongoing and ever-changing COVID guidelines and restrictions, finding opportunities for children to get outdoors, meet with peers, and engage their minds is more important than ever!
For nearly two years, families have been dealing with uncertainty, fear, health, and quarantines. This includes managing multiple kids online – some are in school, some are not. Then there is the worry: Were they exposed? Did they test negative? Positive? Now what…??
That being said, families may be seeking some normalcy and safety! Educational organizations and Summer Camp can provide parents/caregivers with peace of mind – Priceless!
So – How does Fresh Education meet these needs?
Fresh Education Summer Camp offers eight weeks of engaging, hands on STEAM activities in a safe, small group environment, and it runs June through August!
Fresh Ed is located two blocks from Bixby Park and four blocks from the beach; we are often outside! We have access to a full gymnasium and our brand new Makerspace!
All of these wonderful activities are designed to engage a camper’s mind all while they are also having FUN!
And – our Summer Camp is structured to offer many new and exciting ways to engage campers!
Fresh Education Summer Camp includes activities based around each weekly theme. We will enjoy cooperative games, crafts, scavenger hunts, songs, stories, and scientific investigations.
Campers, during lunch and throughout the afternoon, are encouraged to explore their surroundings, stop down to play creative games, sing, dance, or simply rest and take it all in!
At Fresh Education, we wholeheartedly believe that both structured activities and unstructured play are key to helping children connect to their friends and the world around them.
Yes, we at Fresh Education do know this is an interesting title for a “First-Ever Blog” – and still, we choose to acknowledge what so many of YOU have recently shared with us: The ongoing nature of the global pandemic, concerns for the health and safety of our children, economic considerations, and – bluntly, pandemic fatigue – have all taken their toll.
What we have heard in our conversations with you: “We are tired” – “My children just don’t seem to be able to stay on-task for very long” – “…this almost seems like PTSD” and more.
The concern we hear just underneath the words: “Will this stress ever end?” – and “Will my children ever be able to catch up?”
There is no “quick fix,” and certainly, Fresh Education doesn’t pretend to offer one. We, too, have observed kids’ recent frustration tolerance is minimal, their ability to sit still and focus has diminished, and there is a high level of separation anxiety in the younger children.
What Fresh Education does offer is a small-cohort environment, emotional engagement and support, and a creative and diverse curriculum designed to meet each learner’s needs. We recognize that all learners deserve to discover their strengths and interests through cultivated community relationships, a wide range of experiential learning activities, and age-appropriate curriculum.
Lastly, we want to hear from YOU – our Fresh Education parents and community partners, supporters, and friends. We value your voice, and hearing it during this time of unique challenges and stress matters.