Summer Day Camp Combines Literacy and STEM on a University Campus

Hardin Simmons University’s Dream-Catchers Summer Camp Engages Students – Enhances Literacy for Young Scholars

Hardin-Simmons University’s Irvin School of Education hosted the sixth year of Dream-Catchers Summer Camp, a program designed to enhance literacy among elementary and middle school scholars from the Abilene Independent School District (AISD) and other nearby districts, held June 18 – 21 and June 25-28, 2018.

Dream-Catchers Summer Camp, funded by numerous donors through the Community Foundation of Abilene, HSU alumni, friends of the program, and local businesses, promotes problem-solving, critical thinking, and hands-on activities while building motivation and achievement in science and social studies. Dr. Renee Collins, Associate Dean of the Irvin School of Education, developed the camp as a result of research in the Engagement Model of Learning for diverse learners. The camp provides real-world connections with opportunities of collaboration, autonomy, and abundance of texts pertaining to Texas Parks and Wildlife Growing Up Wild and Project Wild activities for the young scholars as well as the American Revolution for the adolescent scholars.

According to Dr. Collins, the many motivating and engaging activities provides opportunities for success while applying reading and writing strategies. The scholars make connections through art, music, theater, and technology activities within the day. HSU is designated as a summer feeding site for children under the age of 18, so all scholars attending the camp eat a nutritious meal furnished from Abilene ISD. The 70+ camp staff members include current HSU education majors, AISD teachers, HSU alumni, Abilene community members, and other education major from nearby universities. The 165+ scholars, who range from kindergarten to 8th grade, make friends, develop literacy skills, expand knowledge about science and social studies, as well as
enjoy university aged mentors during the two weeks. It is a win-win experience for everyone.

For the first time, live-tweeting will occur during the camp. The live tweet hashtag is #HSUDreamCatchers

~Post content adapted from original press release by Dr. Renee Collins.

Post by Helen Teague, cross-posted at https://hsutxonlineed.edublogs.org/2018/06/19/hsu-dream-catchers/