Summer Programs 2.0

New virtual opportunities this summer

In the end of February, the outlook for this year’s Summer Programs was looking sunny. Enrollment for our 167 courses for students aged 4-18 over nine weeks was on track to hit the 2,000 mark. But as the global pandemic rapidly progressed into March, these plans, like so many, were put on hold as the entire school rallied to quickly adapt to distance learning. During that time, Anthony L. Clay and Ruthie Allen, who oversee Summer Programs through their roles as director of and assistant to the institute for teaching and learning, were also gathering what limited guidance was available for summer camps.

With input from families and advice from local health officials and public health experts, on May 8 it was announced that our Summer Programs would not be conducted on campus this year. Instead, a newly reimagined Summer Programs 2.0 would offer virtual programs, with the first three weeks as a pilot. In this model, each course meets twice a day for an hour each at staggered times so that students can take up to two classes a week. Not only were courses adapted or added quickly, but new enrollments and refunds were managed, all while building out the schedule for the remaining weeks.

As the program is actively evolving this summer, feedback is collected each week from families on ways to improve. Ruthie, whose work includes acting as coordinator for Summer Programs, notes that much of the feedback has been really affirming. “Both through our survey and by email, families are letting us know what a difference this is making for students who are longing to connect and engage in joyful exploration. We’re so grateful to have our excellent teaching staff, who have adapted their courses or crafted new ones in such creative ways.” “Our son is really enjoying this week’s Spanish camp. The best part he told me is that he gets to interact with other children in a fun class environment.”

“Just wanted to say the beat, music video, and Dungeons & Dragons camps were AMAZING!! The kids absolutely loved them, the amount of time was perfect, and the teachers — FANTASTIC!!”

After months of distance learning and with “safer at home” restrictions in place, these online offerings are providing for students a sense of exploration and connection with their peers. It has also opened the door to whole new possibilities. In one week, Middle School Teacher Polly Clark was able to connect not only with current CFS students, but also with former students from Carrboro Elementary and from all the way in California.

The initial pilot-phase enabled the team to build out rich and meaningful offerings for the remaining weeks and to also create new adult offerings, ranging from fun hands-on experiences like “Nailed It! Summer Camp for Grown-Ups,” led by Middle School Science Teacher Kristina Krzywonos, to resources for parents on how to manage the current crises in “Parenting for Resiliency,” facilitated by Assistant Head for Teaching and Learning Renee Prillaman. Parents can even join in the fun with their children and other families, competing in trivia, baking, or learning to cook authentic Puerto Rican dishes. Additionally, without the space limitations that come with supporting the transition of classrooms for the coming academic year, an additional 10th week of courses was made possible.

Programs run through August 21, and course descriptions and registration for children, adults, and families can be viewed by visiting cfsnc.org/summercourses.

Story Time for All!

This summer, we are offering a free virtual story time for children of any age and their families from anywhere in the world! Join us each Thursday at 4:00 pm to hear a Carolina Friends staff member (and hopefully some of our Counselors-In-Training) share a treasured children’s book. Our first reader was Head of School Karen Cumberbatch! Register to receive the Zoom invitation at: cfsnc.org/summerstory.

A Few Course Highlights:

Celebrating LGBTQ+ Culture

Learning about past and present expressions of gender and orientations in our lives and in our culture.

Eco Chicos

Exploring how our natural environments work as well as the effect we have on them.

Girl Power

Considering themes from “Body Beautiful” to “Finding and Using Our Voices for Change.”

Mapping Life Under Lockdown

Analyzing different ways in which the current pandemic is being understood through maps.

Youth Activism: Social Justice and Social Change

Focusing on social movements, forms of activism, and leadership as an agent of community change.

— Katherine Scott