Summer Learning at Atlantis

Atlantis summer camp blends fun and learning

At 8:00 AM, rising first through sixth graders entered the Lower School, grabbed a breakfast bag, and headed to their bunk—known during the school year as their classroom—to get ready for a morning full of fun and learning.

For four weeks in July and August, Atlantis offered students a free summer camp-like experience with traditional camp activities such as arts and crafts, teambuilding, STEM, and sports. The camp was designed not only to give kids something fun to do this summer, but to help them build their math and literacy skills through play-based activities.

After breakfast, students went outside to the courtyard with their group for the opening ceremony where they learned about the activities planned for the day and discussed the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) skill they would be focusing on each day: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, or responsibility.

“Here at Atlantis, we put a huge emphasis on Social Emotional Learning because these skills are crucial to set our students up for success in school, careers, and life,” said Kayla Colon, Summer Program Coordinator. “We work on these skills throughout the school year, and camp is the perfect opportunity to reinforce what students have learned and help them apply the skills in their daily life.”

Activities each week were built around a special theme—Under the Sea, Wilderness Adventure, Space is the Place, and Secret Agent. Students explored the mysteries of the ocean and learned about marine life during Under the Sea week, went on a nature walk to a nearby park and learned about plants and animals during Wilderness Adventure week, learned about the solar system during Space is the Place week, and put their critical-thinking skills during the test to solve “mysteries” during Secret Agent week.

Math and literacy were built into the activities. For example, during Secret Agent week, students used math skills to get out of an escape room. Students who needed additional math and literacy support spent time with Atlantis’s interventionists during the day as well.

“We want to reinforce the math and literacy skills they learned during the school year, so they are ready to hit the ground running this fall,” said Colon. “We integrated these skills throughout the activities each day, so students learn without realizing they’re learning.”

Some of the activities were just about having fun and letting kids be kids. Each week ended with FUN Friday Time, with water play and fun games and activities. During space week, all of the groups came together to watch WALL-E in our “ACS Café-Theater.” Snacks and beverages were provided and Picture Show in Fall River donated popcorn for the show.

At the end of each day, students gathered again for circle time with their peers to reflect on their day and talk about the SEL skill they learned.

The summer program ends August 2^nd. It was great to see so many students at camp and we look forward to welcoming everyone back on August 26^th.