A Summer of Discovery

Exploration was at the heart of summer camp this year. Students entering Kindergarten through Middle School could choose from camps centered around basketball, volleyball, chess, cooking, STEM, creativity, and exploration.

What happens when a student gets the chance to try something completely new?

Maybe they discover they love science.

Maybe they find themselves drawn to cooking.

Maybe they learn that they have a knack for strategy, a competitive side they didn't know was there, or a new appreciation for the world God created.

From Volcanoes to Volleyball

At Smart Core Labs STEM Camp, students built and launched slingshot rockets and created erupting volcanoes.

Sticky Fingers Cooking Camp took students into the kitchen to prepare foods, desserts, and drinks inspired by countries around the world.

At The Knight School Chess Camp, students worked on new strategies and strengthened their critical-thinking skills.

Island Time Camp gave students the chance to explore the ocean, discover fascinating sea creatures, and think about how we can care for God's creation.

And on the basketball and volleyball courts, students worked on athletic skills through drills, scrimmages, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Students could follow the interests that already excited them or take a chance on something they had never tried before.

The Growth That Happens Along the Way

Trying something new doesn't always come easily.

A student might struggle with a new skill, make a mistake, or feel unsure about stepping into an unfamiliar activity. But with practice and encouragement, those moments can become some of the most valuable parts of the experience.

A difficult STEM challenge becomes something they finally figure out.

A new chess strategy starts to make sense.

A student who wasn't sure about performing a new skill finds the confidence to try again.

Those small moments teach students that growth doesn't happen all at once. It happens when they keep trying.

And while they were learning, students were also building friendships and spending time with teachers, coaches, and community leaders who encouraged them along the way.

Taking Summer With Them

The people leading these camps included DSA teachers and coaches as well as trusted community partners. Many of those same partners will continue working with students during the school year through after-school enrichment programs.

For students, that creates a chance to keep exploring an interest they discovered during the summer.

This fall, ECE and elementary students will have an extracurricular activity available every weekday after school beginning at 3:30 p.m. With five enrichment opportunities offered each week, students will have more chances to find something that captures their attention.

Because you never know what might happen when a child gets the chance to try something new.