Akron’s Youth Success Summit has partnered with Akron Public Schools to offer summer camps for middle schoolers, focusing on mindfulness, stress management, and skill-building. The Fifth Quarter program, now in its third summer, provides a range of activities, from esports and culinary arts to wellness and sports.
Empowering Students
At the Hyre Community Learning Center, students participated in The Chill Lab, where they learned techniques to calm down, control their emotions, and be more mindful. Isaac Martin, a rising eighth grader, found the experience helpful in managing his anger and frustration.
The program also includes the Sports & Wellness camp, where students like Piper Blue learned basketball skills and explored careers in the sports industry. The camp’s goal is not only to keep kids active but also to help them think about life beyond sports.
Mitigating Summer Learning Loss
The Fifth Quarter program aims to mitigate the summer slide, a phenomenon where students lose some of what they’ve learned during the school year. By providing engaging and educational activities, the program helps students retain their knowledge and develop new skills.
According to YSS Executive Director Rachel Tecca, the program has shown positive results, with anecdotal evidence indicating improved student attendance during the school year. The program is funded in part through grants from the GAR Foundation and Wallace Foundation.
Original reporting: Signal Akron — read the source article.
