Compass for Kids

Camp Compass is a free summer learning program for low-income, underserved, elementary students of Springfield Public Schools - District 186. Camp Compass is designed to prevent summer learning loss and improve reading and math skills. The overarching purpose is to reduce the achievement gap that exists between low-income students and their higher-income peers by bringing students up to grade level academically. Camp Compass is a hybrid between a summer school and a camp. On one hand, Camp Compass is an academic intervention where licensed teachers instruct the students three hours per day, five days per week, for the six weeks of camp. In addition, Camp Compass incorporates enrichment activities and field trips for a fun camp-like environment. These enrichment experiences address the opportunity gap in addition to the academic achievement gap. Transportation to and from the program, breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack, and weekend food are provided.

Camp Care-A-Lot is a free, overnight residential camp for low-income elementary students from throughout Central Illinois. For 27 years, Camp Care-A-Lot has been helping low-income children realize a future beyond anything they could have imagined. Camp Care-A-Lot is a unique opportunity for children to experience the skills needed to alleviate their concerns, achieve their future goals and dreams, and live healthier and safer lives. Over its history, Camp Care-A-Lot has provided many weeks full of educational, social and recreational activities to prepare children for a brighter life. Children leave camp believing they can be successful no matter where they come from.

Club Compass is a weekly program for low-income, underserved, elementary students in Springfield Public Schools - District 186. Club Compass pairs volunteer mentors with the students and teaches them social-emotional and life skills in a safe, structured, positive environment. Club Compass is currently serving students from five schools: Black Hawk, Dubois, Graham, Harvard Park, and McClernand. Club Compass has a volunteer driven, community based model. Each school Club Compass serves is paired with two or more community partners, which host the Club Compass site for their neighborhood school. Each Club Compass site has the same major components: snack, an evidence-based social-emotional curriculum lesson, academic time, Life Skills classes, and a healthy, family-style dinner. Club Compass is free to participating students. All students are selected and referred by their school.

Youth Leadership Develpment Program