Top Left: Learning takes many forms. Chess promotes problem solving, analytical thinking and boosts math skills.

Top Right: Campers act out the storyline of Way Up and Over Everything, Author Alice McGill's tale of slavery and a magical flight to freedom.

Middle Right: A high point of the summer was attending The Color Purple at the Kennedy Center.

Bottom Right: Millicent Williams, president and CEO of the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation, was one of many special guests that started their mornings by reading aloud to children attending SETUP.

SETUP Makes Summer Learning Fun

For six fun- and learning-filled weeks, children attending SETLC’s academic and tennis summer camp--called SETUP (Strengthening Education Through Upgraded Programs)--explored new horizons and developed skills that will help them succeed in the new school year.

Each weekday morning, campers started the day with Lift Every Voice, a 30-minute session that often featured special guests reading aloud as children acted out the book-of-the-day’s storyline. Then, Monday through Thursday, students explored the world through Voyager, a curriculum-based reading program that took students on imaginary journeys to Africa, Egypt, Greece and ancient Rome. Through a companion curriculum, Moving with Math, students learned math concepts through creative activities, such as building an Egyptian pyramid to explore geometric shapes.

Afternoons were spent in activities that included arts and crafts, chess and sewing, as well as TechnoFit Kids -- building computer skills while learning about fitness and nutrition -- and learning to play the game of tennis.

SETUP capped each week with special Friday field trips, ranging from excursions to museums in the District of Columbia and Baltimore to a day in a water park. For many SETLC campers, a high point of the summer was attending a performance of The Color Purple at the Kennedy Center. There, they received a special surprise when they came face-to-face with season three American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino.

All of this added up to a season of success. Over the summer--when most students experience learning loss-- many SETUP campers maintained or even improved their reading and math proficiencies. On average, students raised their reading comprehension by 25 percent, and doubled their math skills. As a result, they will enter school in the fall ready to learn and achieve.

The Recreation Wish List Committee thanks our many special guest readers: Dr. Doris Browne*; Amy Goldston*, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation; Dr. Monte Harris*; Dr. Ximena Hartsock, DC Department of Parks & Recreation; Phinis Jones*, Capitol Service Management; Dr. Julianne Malveaux*, Bennett College for Women; LaRuby May*; Chance Patterson*, Discovery Communications; Isha Price*, Price Consultant Group; Oracene Price, OWL Foundation; Clark Ray; Millicent Williams, DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation, and Rev. Willie Wilson, Union Temple Baptist Church.
* RWLC Board members