This summer, Fuse Project was thrilled to once again have the opportunity to provide academic support in the Avenue community by partnering with Florence Howard Elementary School to coordinate the supplies needed for their "Candyland" 2023 Summer Academic Camp focused on literacy and math skills. Crowder Gulf, a locally based disaster recovery and debris management company, recently stepped forward to support our endeavor. In a heartwarming display of community support and collaboration, they generously donated $1,000 to our fundraising campaign for the camp. These funds from Crowder Gulf, along with an anonymous $500 celebration sponsorship, played a pivotal role in providing an unforgettable experience for participating students and further boosted the fundraiser's impact.

Thanks to these sponsorships and the contributions from 30 individual donors, the Summer Academic Camp was able to provide essential educational materials and incentives to 180 eager students. Among the supplies purchased were 84 classroom books, with each of the 12 classrooms receiving 7 books tailored to their grade level.

K-3

POP! The Invention of Bubble Gum by Meghan McCarthy

How Milton Hershey Brought Milk Chocolate to America on the Corner of Chocolate Avenue by Tziporah Cohen

Kindergarten – 3rd Grade

Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better by Glenda Armand, Kim Freeman, Keith Mallett (Contributor)

How the Cookie Crumbled: The True and Not so True Stories of the Invention of the Chocolate Chip Cookie by Gilbert Ford

The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle: The Cool Science Behind Frank Epperson’s Famous Frozen Treat by Anne Renaud

1st – 4th Grade

The Hole Story of the Doughnut by Pat Miller

2nd – 5th Grade

George Crum & The Saratoga Chip by Gaylia Taylor

This exceptional investment in academic support was made possible through a collaborative effort. Our friend, Angela, and her team at The Haunted Book Shop, a local small business, played a vital role by partnering with us to provide all the books for the camp at a substantial discount. To complement the camp's theme of "the land where learning is sweet," all books were Candyland-themed, adding a touch of excitement to the learning experience.

Additionally, over 300 student books were distributed to encourage reading and foster a love for learning with 180 backpacks distributed to the students. Each backpack contained at least 2 books and learning incentives such as a delightful assortment of on-theme candy treats, Candyland-themed coloring bookmarks, and different colored chalk which makes the learning process even more engaging by providing an interactive activity for the students that emphasizes the correct formation of each letter and number.  Practice makes perfect!  

The academic camp focused on enhancing both literacy and math skills through engaging activities. For literacy, students enjoyed fun exercises such as Fruit Loop vowels, a red word tree to practice sight words, and a game of BINGO. A creative ice cream prefix matching game introduced prefixes like "sub," "un," "mis," "in," and "con," adding an element of excitement to the learning process.

In the realm of mathematics, students honed their problem-solving skills, learned budgeting and balancing books, and even practiced check writing. For older students in 4th and 5th grade, a fascinating business project awaited. They were tasked with creating their own business, complete with a blueprint detailing how to build it and basic profit and loss calculations using colored tiles to determine material costs. The students were thoroughly engaged in these activities and had a blast while learning.

At the conclusion of the Summer Academic Camp, a memorable celebration awaited the students, featuring three exciting inflatables—an obstacle course, jumpy house, and a mega slide. To satisfy their appetites, 20 pizzas were served, ensuring everyone had plenty to enjoy. The celebration was further enhanced with two talented face painters and a DJ, creating a fun and entertaining atmosphere for all attendees.

The success of the camp and celebration would not have been possible without the invaluable contribution of volunteers. Members of Order of Fuse and our Lip Sync Battle teams stepped up to the plate, dedicating their time and energy to make the event truly special. From assembling backpacks filled with educational goodies to entertaining the kids by going down the slide or competing in obstacle courses together, the volunteers created cherished memories for both students and themselves.

Fuse Project and The Historic Avenue Foundation have been actively involved in Florence Howard’s annual Summer Academic Camp since 2019, building strong connections with the faculty, staff, and students. Witnessing the students' growth and prosperity year after year and seeing the joy on their faces during the celebration has been a rewarding experience for all involved. We would like to express our gratitude to our awesome volunteers. You have not only contributed your time and energy, but you have also brought the fun! The success of this celebration would not have been possible without you, and we genuinely appreciate the difference you've made in the lives of these students. You've truly helped us leave a lasting impression.

The 2023 Summer Academic Camp was an unequivocal success. The collective efforts of our community have left a positive impact on the lives of these children, encouraging them to embrace education with enthusiasm and providing them with lasting memories that will undoubtedly shape their future. As the camp came to a close, the smiles on the children's faces resonated with the shared sentiment of success and joy in their achievements.

The positive impact of this initiative is immeasurable, as it has not only enriched the students' education but also served as a motivating force for them to continue their hard work and dedication. The heartfelt generosity of Crowder Gulf and all our donors, The Haunted Book Shop, our devoted volunteers, and all the contributors, including Florence Howard’s faculty and staff, has created an unforgettable and rewarding experience for these students. Their support demonstrates the power of community-driven efforts in fostering a love for education and empowering the next generation.

THANK YOU