Dream-Catchers Summer Camp To Focus on Literacy, Science

(Abilene, Texas) Hardin-Simmons University will host Dream-Catchers Summer Camp during two weeks in June – June 13-16 and June 20-23.

The camp is designed to enhance literacy among elementary school students from Ortiz Elementary School in the Abilene Independent School District. Up to 90 students from Ortiz are expected to attend the camp.

Students in kindergarten through grade 4 can attend the science-literacy focused camp. The camp also offers two combined classes for bilingual students in the first/second and third/fourth grades.

Dr. Renee Collins, chair of the department of educational studies and associate professor of education at HSU, developed the camp four years ago as a result of her research regarding the connections between motivation and achievement among students.

“The scholars from Ortiz gain rich friendships with the HSU education majors and other community members along with reinforcing literacy strategies to use in future learning contexts,” she said.  “The scholars are inspired to dream dreams about the future – middle and high school, college or trade schools, and ultimately careers or professions.”

Collins coordinates with Mrs. Betsy Feemster, director of science curriculum in Abilene ISD, as well as the administrative and faculty team at Ortiz Elementary School, to ensure successful learning experiences for the campers and the HSU education majors helping with the program.

The camp involves various disciplines including fine arts and technology connections. The Abilene ISD provides bus transportation to and from Ortiz to HSU and food for the campers attending the camp. 

The program is a partnership with the Irvin School of Education’s HSU Reading Practicum class, Irvin School Of Education alumni, AISD administrators and staff, and other community education staff and faculty.

Collins said the camp benefits HSU education majors by providing hands-on experiences. About 15 HSU education majors will serve as instructors in the program teaching campers a mixture of literacy strategies, character development and life skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, and setting goals.

“The camp provides a real-world connection in designing and implementing respectful literacy experiences using nonfiction texts as well as integrating various disciplines and texts while targeting the scholars’ interests and academic needs,” said Collins.

In addition to the literacy component, the Dream-Catchers Summer Camp involves HSU’s Fitness Sports Sciences Department to help the campers learn about wellness. 

The campers will perform hands-on science activities and gain health awareness through working with students of Dr. Melissa Madeson, an associate professor of Fitness Sports Sciences at HSU. Madeson’s “Wellness for Life” students will lead and monitor various brain and body activities with campers.

The Dream-Catchers program is funded in part by a grant from the Community Foundation of Abilene Discretionary Grant. Other donors include local businesses and alumni in the Big Country area.
 
The camp has been recognized by the Center for Research, Evaluation & Advancement of Teacher Education (CREATE) as an Exemplary K-12 Partnership. For more information on the Dream Catchers Camp or the Irvin School of Education visit: https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/irvin/.