>> SPRING BREAK
Georgia College & State University’s Department of Continuing and Professional Education hosted Kids’ University (Kids’ U) Spring Break for grades kindergarten through sixth grade April 3-7.
“Our camps focus on learning while staying active and engaged,” said Diondra Franklin, assistant director for Kids’ University. “Each of our camps has a theme and we pick standards based around that theme. For spring break, the theme was Mighty Me!, teaching the students about what makes them unique and mighty.”
During the week, students explored topics related to diversity and inclusion. The theme focused on teaching the children about who they are, what makes them unique, and why diversity is important. The lessons around this theme were taught through fun activities that build social, emotional, and critical thinking skills that keeps students engaged and having fun.
“The focus was being mighty, which means being proud of how you’re different or the same, acknowledging change, acknowledging the differences in others and empathizing with different characters and other people,” said Franklin.
Activities during the week varied but some included a Characteristics Talk, Special Guests, and A Walk in the Garden. The Characteristics Talk was a reading activity where camp leaders would engage with the students and discuss the good and bad characteristics of characters in a book. During the sessions, campers talked about what makes the characters unique, their good and bad traits, how they changed through the story and what they learned from the character.
“We broke the groups up based on grade level and the counselors spoke to the students as they read. It helps the campers understand the story, understand character development and empathize with the characters. It also allows our campers to lead the reading and share their own thoughts,” said Franklin. “One of the big components was also asking the campers how they can relate to the characters and how that makes them feel about themselves or the character. It gave them a moment of self reflection and to think about what makes them mighty.”
Special guests included visitors from Brazil, Jamaica, and a Science Magic Show, where partners from across Georgia College campus joined campers to share what made them different, special, and unique.
A Walk in the Garden took campers through the garden at Georgia College & State University to teach about diversity through flower species and how they grow.
Students also learned about growing food, the life cycle of plants and more. As a part of A Walk in the Garden, campers also planted flowers, vegetables and herbs that they were able to take care of and learn about throughout the week.
“We related diversity and change to how plants grow in a garden. While all plants begin as seedlings, they grow into different things. Even a flower will not be the same every time it is planted. The same flower species can have multiple colors or variations and there are many types of flowers there as well that differ from one another,” said Franklin. “Campers were able to learn about growing food and flowers, understanding the diversity in our ecosystem, and were able to relate that back to our own society.”
Another teaching opportunity that Kids’ U Spring Break offered was solely for sixth graders. Campers in the sixth grade were given opportunities to lead activities and act as counselors in training.
These opportunities help to build character and extend the reach of Kids’ U to prepare campers for the next grade and their transition into middle school.
“Many of our sixth graders have been to multiple Kids’ U camps and thoroughly enjoy acting as mentors to newer campers. So, we always offer multiple opportunities for them to take the lead or teach during activities,” said Franklin. “Sixth graders will also work closely with our counselors to learn specifically about their job and what makes them qualified to be a leader.”
Balancing learning with fun, Kids’ U creates educational camps that offer students a break from the rigor of the school while continuously building on the standard curriculum. They offer camps throughout the year leading up to their popular Kids’ University Summer Camp. Registration is now open for summer camp and to learn more, visit summercamps.gcsu. edu/kids-u.