Summer of Fun, Tools for Life

The MTS Summer Success Camp is an “Outdoor Learning Model” for African American boys, ages 8-12. During camp, they will discover and explore their talents, interests, and values in order to succeed. The camp participants will move collectively, study culturally, learn cognitively, explore community, and have fun. The boys gain resiliency, develop life-long learning and teamwork skills and become more confident in their day-to-day transitions beyond home and school.

REFERRALS

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

• African American boys between the ages of 8 and 12 years old

• Reside in the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County

• Preference will be given to participants enrolled in Small Seeds programming within the 6 months prior to the start of camp

PROGRAM PURPOSE

Children who do not attend summer camp miss out on the opportunity to develop interpersonal skills and build critical thinking and problem solving skills. A child’s inability to gain resiliency and life skills, positive self-esteem, self-reliance, and pro-social behaviors puts them at risk. Children who are offered a structured opportunity in a nurturing environment are able to become independent and self-confident, while socializing and making new friends, all the while learning new skills.

"The building blocks of self-esteem are belonging, learning, and contributing. Camps offer unique opportunities for children to succeed in these three vital areas and even beyond home and school."
Michael Popkin, Ph.D., family therapist and founder of Active Parenting

"The biggest plus of camp is that camps help young people discover and explore their talents, interests, and values. Most schools don't satisfy all these needs. Kids who have had these kinds of (camp) experiences end up being healthier and have less problems which concern us all."
Peter Scales, Ph.D., noted author/educator, and Senior Fellow, The Search Institute

In order to meet the changing needs of our campers and provide opportunities for positive emotional, physical and social growth in their lives, Small Seeds Staff facilitate enriching activities with a focus on exercise, encouragement, and motivation in an atmosphere ideal for personal growth.

• Camp runs Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.

• Cost for program participants is a $25.00 non-refundable deposit that must be paid in full prior to the start of Camp.

• Camp runs for 5 weeks in June and July.

• Daily snacks and lunch provided.

• Pick-up and drop-off transportation to and from your home provided as needed.

• Remote Learning will be used as an alternative to onsite in person engagement.

CURRICULA USED

Youth Social Competence Survey (Pre-Post Testing): This scale measures youths’ awareness, knowledge, and investment in helping to improve themselves and others. Responsible Choices emphasizes good behavior, hard work, personal responsibility, and fairness. (Responsible Choices Scale. This is a subscale of the Youth Assets Survey (Oman, Vesley, McLeroy, et al., 2002, Civic Responsibility Survey (Furco, Muller, & Ammon, 1998)

Thrively: Online learning platform that leverages students' unique strengths, interests, and aspirations to build the skills they need for success in the K-12 classroom and beyond.

Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL): The process of acquiring the skills to recognize and manage emotions, develop caring and concern for others, make responsible decisions, establish positive relationships, and handle challenging situations effectively.

The Recreational Athlete: Your child will have fun, learn new skills and get opportunities to explore their athleticism in a non-competitive, supportive and inspiring environment. Campers participate in a multi-sport environment collecting points for skill development featuring: Climbing, Obstacle Courses, Low-Impact Parkour and Skateboarding.

For more information about MTS Summer Success Camp, or to enroll your son, please call 412-665-2810