As students anxiously watch the calendar and parents soon face the far-too-frequent refrain “I’m bored” for a few months, it is critical to remember the ever-increasing importance of summer break.
The break allows children to reboot and families to reconnect, whether they are hitting a favorite swimming hole, going to a movie, or taking a long-awaited and much-needed vacation. As always, quality time together is priceless.
But summer break has changed for many families, creating many challenges and logistical worries. Most notably: What should I/we do with the kids during the workday?
Bright Futures for Youth has some options.
We have developed a lineup of summer camps that allow children to connect with each other, improve and learn new skills, and – most important – have fun in a safe and supervised setting.
If you remember, summer is all about having fun.
But our camps also help children stay sharp and avoid the “summer slide,” a well-documented loss of at least one month of learning from the previous school year, according to multiple studies.
And, of course, the no- or low-cost camps help hardworking parents who are often juggling a lot during the summer and give kids a place to go.
More than 400 elementary to high school students will attend Bright Futures for Youth camps this summer, from the NEO GREAT Camp in partnership with the Grass Valley Police Department to The Friendship Club’s getaway camps in Monterey and the nearby mountains. In addition, Bright Futures for Youth will again offer the popular Summer Day Camp for five weeks at Deer Creek Elementary in Nevada City.
Each camp helps children build positive relationships and make new friends in a friendly and fun environment. The camps are educational, engaging and some are even purpose-driven, with campers giving back to the community.
And we can all use more giving and learning after the past three years.
The pandemic has caused many children to struggle in school. Our camps have never been more important, helping children catch-up academically and socially.
If you would like to learn more about Bright Futures for Youth’s summer camps, please visit our website. You can also learn how to support our efforts – including the summer camps – with a donation.
Please enjoy summer and spending time together, and thank you for making our efforts possible.
More than 400 kids will be able to enjoy a fun-filled and educational summer, including seven camps:
- Five-week Learning Day Camp – Arts, math, science and fun at this low-cost weekday camp that’s perfect for working parents.
Open to more than 200 incoming TK to 8th graders every week and more than 35 youth are employed. - GREAT Camp – One-week leadership camp for 30 incoming 6th- grade boys and girls run by NEO and Grass Valley police officers
- Get started camp – Introducing 20 girls to The Friendship Club
- Sleepaway camps in Monterey and in Nevada County for Friendship Club 7-12th graders
- 30+ clinics, games, community events and more all summer long
- Healthy meals and snacks, every time youth are with us