Emoni, a student from Millhill Child & Family Development, said she loves attending the STEM Explorers program because it gave her the chance to make new friends.
“My favorite part about this program is that I got to meet new people and engage with them and work together on a project,” she said.
Millhill students put their science caps on while building and testing mini battery-powered cars.
This program, designed for rising 7th, 8th and 9th graders, offered lessons in science, coding, robotics and math. Children also went on educational field trips and heard from guest speakers and gained skills and experiences that broadened their horizons.
Summer should be a time for children to enjoy the warm weather, have fun and recharge after the school year. For many children, summer offers adventures, learning about new places and environments full of stimulating opportunities to learn and grow. For these children, summer experiences build them up and prepare them for the next academic journey. But for many, it is an isolating experience, with idle time, with little fun and compounded learning loss in potentially unstructured environments and a loss of routine. That’s why the summer programs offered by local nonprofits are essential.
This summer, the Princeton Area Community Foundation awarded $487,000 in Summer Initiative grants, supporting 21 local nonprofits providing summer engagement activities and programs for children and teens across Mercer County.
Niki Sprull, Executive Director of Capital Harmony Works, explained the difference these opportunities make.
Last year, “we were not sure…if we were going to be able to move forward with this initiative because of the cost, but because of (the grant from) PACF, we are able to have our chamber orchestra come and work on their craft…and prepare for performances in the fall,” she said. “The routine continues without a break, which proves to be so advantageous — not only for them as musicians, but for their growth as people and individuals.”
The funding supported Capital Harmony Works’ three-week orchestra camp and two-week chorus camp. Students ranged from first-time musicians to longtime participants. The program offered breakfast and lunch for the students as well as music lessons, reading circles and academic coaching.
“We have children from low-income backgrounds in Trenton who picked up string instruments for the very first time,” Niki said. “They may not have otherwise had access, but now they’re reading music, performing, and competing with other musicians their age and older. Some are even beginning to see music as a path for higher learning and a future career — the possibilities are endless.”
Capital Harmony Works students practicing their instruments in preparation for the summer concert.
Summer Initiatives are funded from the Community Foundation’s Community Impact Grants Fund and with additional support from generous individuals, companies and foundations who care deeply about our community, such as the Burke Foundation and Johnson & Johnson.
Engaging youth through these initiatives helps working families have peace of mind, making childcare more accessible, providing safe spaces, caring adults and enriching experiences for children throughout the summer months. They were vital for children, teens and their families and they also helped strengthen connections among nonprofit leaders. As part of the initiative, the Community Foundation brought together its grantee partners and their staff for a learning session on youth wellness, equipping them with tools to weave into their summer programming.
Kelly Castro, Chief Philanthropy Officer for the Greater Somerset County YMCA, which includes the Princeton branch, said the program exposes children to arts, science, and fun, recreational activities, while providing safe, summer childcare.
“These children have a place to go, ensuring that their families can continue (to work) to support them and the family,” said Castro.
Students at the Princeton YMCA getting creative with colorful tie-dye shirts.
The grant helped the Princeton YMCA Summer Camp provide scholarships, making the program accessible to more children. Campers enjoyed many activities, including swimming lessons and social emotional learning lessons.
These summer programs open doors to experiences students may not otherwise have. Some opportunities might be out of reach due to financial barriers, while others simply aren’t available during the school year.
Xyon, a student from Millhill, shared, “My favorite part about camp is the activities we do, because they’re different from what we usually do at school. It’s a more fun and engaging way to learn about science, physics and other subjects.”
Want to help make great summer programs possible next year? A gift to our Community Impact Grants Fund helps ensure more children can learn, grow and thrive.
