Press Release
June 11, 2007
DPS Youth To Benefit From New Summer Enrichment Program
Nonprofit community joins forces to ensure DPS students stay engaged in quality learning activities during summer break
As many as 200 DPS students will participate in a six-week summer enrichment program called Denver-CAMP thanks to a collaborative effort between DPS and 16 local nonprofit agencies. The new initiative benefits DPS students in grades 4-8 who have limited access to enrichment activities during the summer months. The camp began today and runs through the 20th.
Studies show that organized, structured activities during the summer months can boost test scores and benefit students both socially and emotionally. Unfortunately, many families cannot afford the price of summer camps, so children are left unsupervised and more likely to get into trouble.
DPS and the Denver Quality After-School Connection (DQUAC), a coalition of organizations working together to increase the quality of out-of-school programs in Denver, have combined their resources to host this camp for only $30 per student. The cost of comparable summer camps is closer to $450 per student. Additional funding is being provided by the DPS Foundation, Arrow Electronics, Inc., and the Salazar Family Foundation.
The camp will be held during two three-week sessions at Morey Middle School. Participants will engage in a variety of activities that focus on academics, technology, physical fitness, life skills, and arts. The camp is expected to help these students increase their academic skills, personal confidence, leadership abilities, and cultural awareness.
As part of the collaboration, a press conference with Mayor John Hickenlooper and DPS Superintendent Michael Bennet is scheduled for June 21 at 11:30 a.m. at Morey Middle School. Both speakers will address the overall benefits of out-of-school programs.
For more information, contact Kirstin Gerety at 720-423-3877 or kgerety@dpsfoundation.org.
ABOUT THE DENVER QUALITY AFTER-SCHOOL CONNECTION (DQUAC)
DQUAC is a coalition of youth-service program provides working together to promote the importance of quality out-of-school-time programming, both after school and during summer. The coalition supports various initiatives that enhance and increase the range of activities available for children in Denver. Denver-CAMP is a current example of such an effort. The following 17 agencies are currently contributing to the program: ArtReach, Arts Street, Boys and Girls Club, CampFire, Catholic Charities, Club Inventions, Denver Public Libraries, Denver Parks and Recreation, Denver Scores, DPS Dept. of Extended Learning, Girl Scouts, Girls Inc., Net Results, Open World Learning, Skyhawks, Summer Scholars, and TechKnow.
ABOUT THE DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
DPS Foundation (www.dpsfoundation.org) raises and manages funds in support of the district's ambitious reform plan - The Denver Plan - to improve student achievement. Through top-notch professional development for principals, enhanced teacher training, improved curriculum and quality of instruction, student enrichment programs, and community partnerships, we are helping to reshape Denver Public Schools into the leading big city school district in the country.