A Summer of Discovery: Highlights from SPARK Summer Camp 2024
At SPARK, our mission is to empower children to develop a lifelong love of learning and cultivate their problem-solving skills during the summer months. By integrating evidence-based reading intervention strategies with engaging STEAM activities, we aim to create a unique summer experience that inspires learning. We firmly believe that every child has the potential to succeed, and our mission is to unlock their full capabilities through an enriching summer program.
Here’s an in-depth look at the topics explored at SPARK Summer Camp 2024.
Week 1
The World Around Me: All About Colors
Our 2nd year of SPARK Summer Camp at Lily Baptist Church kicked off with an explosion of colors in our first week's theme, “The World Around Me: All About Colors”! From our special guest "SHORT the Squirrel" greeting our enthusiastic campers to a whirlwind of activities like tie-dyeing shirts and conducting vibrant color experiments, the fun was endless! Our young learners, from Pre-K to upper elementary, dove deep into the world of colors through art projects, exploring the color wheel, and expressing their emotions with hues. The “Art from the Heart” lesson was a highlight, filling our hearts and minds with creativity and joy.
Week 2
All About My City: Mobile, Alabama
Our second week at SPARK Summer Camp was “All About My City: Mobile, Alabama.” Our campers discovered the rich history and vibrant culture of our city. We learned about the fascinating world of oysters and how these amazing creatures have served our city in various ways in the past and present. We had the pleasure of welcoming local authors Dr. Rebecca Giles and Abby Grodnick Kennedy as guest readers who delighted us by sharing their books with us, "Coastal Alabama Alphabet" and "Goodnight, Mobile."
A special visit from Joycelyn Davis, a Clotilda descendant, and a virtual tour of the USS Alabama gave our campers a powerful connection to our city's history. To top it all off, The Cookery Project taught us how to make a delicious king cake variation using Hawaiian rolls, cream cheese, and cinnamon. It was a tasty end to a fantastic week!
Week 3
The World Around Me: All About Nature
Our third week at SPARK Summer Camp was “The World Around Me: All About Nature.” We kicked off the week with a reading of "The Three Little Pigs," sparking a weeklong STEM study using literacy. Our campers enjoyed a nature walk, observing and learning about the environment firsthand. Inspired by the story, we constructed houses from sticks, straw, and bricks, using various materials. Then came the ultimate test: seeing if our houses could withstand the "big bad wolf" (a hair dryer)!
Week 4
My World: Community Helpers
Our theme for the fourth week at SPARK Summer Camp, “My World: Community Helpers,” was all about recognizing and celebrating the heroes in our community! We started with an exciting visit from Saraland Police Department’s K-9 unit, where campers met Brutus the retired K-9 dog, explored police tools, and got up close with a police truck. The excitement continued with a visit from the fire department! We learned about fire safety, practiced making 911 calls with a simulator, and even got to see a fire truck up close.
Our young chefs had a blast making Rice Krispy treats and crafting their own chef hats. We also discovered the world of art with our friend Lisa Howard from Round But Square Studios, who guided our campers in creating self-portraits while exploring various art materials and techniques. To cap off a wonderful week, Fuse Project’s own board chairman, Dr. Ankit Gulati, joined us for a special read-aloud and shared insights about being a medical doctor. He even let our campers give pretend shots, showing his bravery and commitment to learning!
Week 5
My World: The Water Around Me
Our fifth week at SPARK Summer Camp was a splash as we dove into “My World: The Water Around Me.” We explored the wonders of water, the oceans, Gulf of Mexico, and recreational water, discovering the incredible world beneath the waves. Our campers got creative with sea life crafts, making paper mâché jellyfish, watercolor art, and octopus art using various acrylic techniques.
Courtney Thomson from USA Health joined us to teach water safety with the American Red Cross Curriculum. Her slogan, “Do Your Part, Be Water Smart,” reminded us of the importance of safety. She demonstrated proper life jacket usage and sent home flyers to help parents keep their kids safe around water. In addition, USA Health used this time to distribute gun locks to parents during dismissal, ensuring firearms are safely secured and unusable.
While a slight departure from the theme, week five also taught us about the busy world of bees with Beekeeper and Order of Fuse member, Katie Jackson. Katie shared her passion for beekeeping, bringing tools and two frames of bees in an observation hive. The campers were fascinated, asking questions like, ‘How do you catch bees?’, ‘How long do bees live?’, and ‘How far can they fly?’ Katie’s visit not only educated the children about bees but also inspired curiosity and excitement about nature.
Here is what Katie had to say about her experience at SPARK:
“My name is Katie Jackson. I’m an Order of Fuse member who is a nurse practitioner by day & a beekeeper in my free time! I grew up keeping bees with my dad, and now it’s my favorite hobby. This week, I had the privilege of popping in on SPARK Summer Camp to talk about my honeybees. I brought my tools and two frames of bees in an observation hive. I honestly didn’t know what to expect from a group of kids this young. I was truly blown away by their interest and intuitive questions! … It made my heart so happy to know that they enjoyed something I am so passionate about! It was an honor to spend time with them. Laney Andrews and the ABC Program are doing wonderful things at Lily Baptist Church!”
Week 6
The World Around Me: Sounds are Everywhere
Our sixth week at SPARK Summer Camp, “The World Around Me: Sounds are Everywhere,” resonated with excitement! Kristen Denman, a music teacher from Saraland Elementary School, introduced our campers to the fundamentals of music. They learned about beat, rhythm, and form, using scarves to practice their rhythm and having a blast in the process!
Wayne Curtis from the Mobile Alabama Africatown Drummers brought a variety of drums and other instruments, teaching our students the importance of listening to the beat. The highlight was learning the lively rhythm of “Let’s Go Fishing.”
Alabama Power’s Lam Van Tran and Mike Watson visited to demonstrate how power is made. Through hands-on activities, our campers learned about circuits and conducted electricity using different fruits and vegetables. They even tried on some equipment and raced to complete a simple lineman task while wearing work gloves!
End-of-Camp Celebration
We concluded another epic summer at SPARK Summer Camp with an unforgettable celebration! Our campers had a blast at the glow-in-the-dark dance party, with our very own Mary Frances as the DJ. The excitement was contagious as everyone celebrated all their amazing learning experiences. We enjoyed delicious pizza and ice cream, and parents joined in the fun with a Pizza and Parents Picnic. It was a perfect way to wrap up our summer adventures together! Each student also got to pack a backpack full of learning materials, books, scavenger hunts, and activities to keep them engaged for the rest of the summer.
A special thank you to our incredible volunteers: Keshia Davis and Janelle Adams from Outokumpu, Erin Delaporte from Alabama Power, and the wonderful church members at Lily Baptist Church. Your support made this summer truly special!
As we reflect on this year's SPARK Summer Camp, we are filled with gratitude and pride. The experiences, lessons, and joy shared among campers and staff have left a lasting impact. We can’t wait to continue this journey of discovery and learning next summer!