Camp Summer Plus 2011: A Holistic Way to Stem Under Achievement

The USAID/Jamaica Basic Education Project-funded Camp Summer Plus (CSP) 2011 took a holistic approach to the issue of academic underachievement by focusing on all aspects of the issue: nutrition, academics, creativity, and social climate.

Each morning, 3 buses transported approximately 125 students from their schools to Shortwood Teachers’ College, a beautiful haven abounding with trees and space for students to play. They were greeted by camp staff who guided them to their first stop for the day, the dining room. After readying themselves with a nutritious breakfast, the students made their way to one of five classrooms where they participated in early work, which involved reading or doing an academic task already written on the whiteboard.

Each class consisted of children with varying levels of mastery, but as one of the five Academic Leaders−as the CSP teachers are called−notes, the range was “not too wide”. In order to address the learning needs of each student, a pre-test was conducted to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each student before the start of CSP 2011.

Together with two assistants, each Academic Leader guided approximately 25 students between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Students were instructed in reading using the Four Block Approach and Mathematics using a hands-on, practical approach. Each week, student progress was monitored through Mathematics and Language Arts quizzes.

The camp also included a range of enrichment activities, which the children participated in after lunch. These activities included computer studies, dance, junior achievement, drama, physical education, and music. All enrichment activities were guided by trained instructors.

Parent Meetings

Recognizing the importance of parental support in the learning process, parents and guardians were invited each week to meet and listen to experts and motivational speakers who provided useful tips on how parents can support their child’s development. The caregivers were also encouraged to discuss their experiences and share strategies for monitoring and encouraging their children’s academic growth.

Field Trips

Fridays were designated as field trip days. To ensure close supervision, approximately five children were assigned to either a parent volunteer or camp staff that acted as a guide and monitor during the trip. There were a total of five field trips during Camp Summer Plus 2011. The students visited:

• Up Park Camp,
• Institute of Jamaica,
• Hope Botanical Gardens and Zoo,
• Port Royal, and
• Ebony Park in Clarendon .

Open Day

On the last Thursday of the summer camp, parents and guardians had the opportunity to view their children’s work, which was creatively displayed, and watch their children receive special prizes and awards.

Through this holistic approach, CSP 2011 afforded these children a chance to improve their literacy and numeracy skills, and thereby, move a step further towards being certified literate in the Grade Four Literacy Test.