“Dream big, set your goals high, and you can achieve anything”– one of the many inspirational phrases heard by students throughout Dreamcatchers Camp 2018. Thanks to a grant from United Way of Central Alabama, Susan Moore Elementary hosted a six-week summer enrichment program for Blount County students entering kindergarten through sixth grade.
The goal of the program is to provide students who are part of the Blount County’s summer feeding program with academic enrichment between the free meals they receive Monday through Friday.
United Way and the Bold Goals Coalition are working collectively in the Summer Adventures in Learning (SAIL) Partnership to reduce and eliminate the Summer Slide.
“The Dreamcatchers Program is one part of the BCEF summer learning program and touches so many students with BIG impact. Our students worked so hard to improve and also enjoyed all the wonderful enrichment activities we provided,” said Blount County Education Fund Executive Director Mitchie Neel. “We were thrilled by this year’s program! BCEF is grateful to all our grantors who made the program possible, and especially United Way of Central Alabama!”
At a recent ending celebration held to recognize the accomplishments of camp participants, students sang Take Me Out to the Ball Game and the Dreamcatchers Theme Song. Following the performances was special recognition for the ten program grant providers and 30 community partners who helped make this year’s Dreamcatchers Camp possible.
Teachers presented numerous awards in various categories, such as reading, math, and kindergarten. Many students experienced exponential growth throughout the program. In fact, two students grew three years and one month in math and a dozen came up one to two years in reading.
Attendance was another area recognized at the ending celebration. Over 70% of students participating in Dreamcatchers Camp completed the program with at least an 85% attendance rate. Also, more than 40 students missed one day or less of camp. All attendance awardees accepted a star-shaped trophy from the site coordinator. Students who completed the program with excellent attendance went home with a brand new backpack and all the school supplies needed for this upcoming year.
United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. Through our partner agencies and community initiatives, we improve lives and community conditions by building and mobilizing resources. To learn more about United Way’s impact in our community visit www.uwca.org.