DC Trinity Report Card

C h a n g i n g t h e Wo r l d . . . O n e C h i l d a t a T i m e

2011

REPORT CARDDream Campat Trinity College

ESF_DCbkltTrinity_final:Layout 1 5/24/12 5:43 PM

For more than a decade,Dream Camp at Trinity College has provided thousandsof underserved Hartford children what they need most:a chance. Our innovative program allows children torecognize their potential, teaches them the skills to reachtheir goals, and gives them the confidence to dream big.

From the outset, Dream Camp’s mission has been clear.It is our job to nurture, educate and inspire our DreamCampers. Whether in our classrooms, on our stages oron our playing fields, the dedicated staff and Trinitymentors cultivate an environment where our childrencan overcome obstacles and learn to succeed.

This past year has proved no different. In 2011, DreamCamp continued to expand its program to ensure thatinner-city youth in Hartford are given every opportunityto achieve their goals.

2011 HigHligHTs PAgE 2

PROgRAm OvERviEWs PAgEs 3-4

DREAm CAmPERs in COllEgE PAgE 3

mEnTORs AnD sTAFF PAgE 5

suPPORT PAgE 5


DEAR FRiEnDs,Among the greatest and most inspiringtransformations that happen at Trinity Collegeeach year are those occurring within Hartfordstudents in grades K-12, through Dream Camp.Peer into some of our classrooms during the springand fall and you will find vulnerable children fromHartford alongside Trinity mentors who provideguidance and homework help during the schoolyear. In the summer, during the five week DreamCamp summer program, our campus is alive withthe sights and sounds of these children on ourfields and athletic courts, in our art rooms andperformance spaces, and again, in our classrooms.Anyone witnessing Dream Camp in action willattest to its ability to empower children to pursuetheir dreams, particularly their ambitions ofcollege acceptance and completion.

Now in its 15th year, Dream Camp comprehensivelyserves approximately 250 children from Hartfordannually, with as many as 100 children benefittingfrom the after-school program. For five weeksduring the summer, the program offers childrenages 6-18 academic enrichment options,traditional fun and formative camp experiences,and leadership opportunities for older teens.The after-school mentoring program during theacademic year specifically targets out-of-schoolhours when underprivileged children in gradesK-12 may not have easy or affordable access toactivities such as organized sports or otherenrichment opportunities. As well, the programoffers a safe, supportive and reliable environmentwhere mentorship aids in learning, personalgrowth and the cultivation of educationalambitions. Through a Saturday program thatmeets for nine weeks, sessions on the collegeadmissions process are offered for older children,

along with SAT preparation. The results of thesummer program and the after-school programhave been stunning. In a school district where59.9% of high school students graduate within4 years (Achieve Hartford 2011 CMT and CAPTResults: A Summary; October 2011), 61 DreamCamp alumni are currently enrolled in college and11 are on target to graduate this year.

While the program focuses ultimately on collegeacceptance and educational success, Dream Campis holistic in its aim to help children thrive. Eventhe simple pleasures of cooking and eating togetherare integral to Dream Camp. Indeed, I learned thatone little girl brought those lessons home, continuingthe ritual of eating together in the evenings, andstrengthening the bonds of her family.

We are rightfully proud of the success of Trinity’sDream Camp and remain truly grateful to all whoinvest in the educational aspirations of our DreamCampers. I would be remiss if I did not express mygenuine appreciation as well for the Dream Campstaff, and the founders and passionate leaders ofour partner, ESF, Michael and Bill Rouse, whosetireless dedication to the children entrusted intheir care makes all of this possible. Please enjoythe results featured in this report. There is nocomparison to seeing the faces of Dream Campchildren in the midst of discovery andachievement, and this report conveys the positiveoutcomes that are indelibly behind their smiles.

Yours very truly,

James F. Jones, Jr.President and Trinity College Professor in theHumanities


in 2011, DREAm CAmP...

• Throughout the school year, Dream Camp provided academic tutoring for 250 students ingrades kindergarten through twelve.

• Prepared seniors for the college application process with sAT Prep courses in the CollegeReadiness Program.

• Expanded the Kidzlit literacy Curriculum to include special emphasis on vocabulary, wordrecognition, phonics and reading comprehension.

• Developed a sTEm Curriculum, which focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math.

• Transitioned 15 students into college in the Fall of 2011. 100% of Dream Camp graduatingstudents have attended college since the program’s inception.

• sparked the interest of our 6th – 8th grade Dream Campers by taking the children to acareer fair where they met a professional firefighter, cosmetologist, chef, and urban farmer.

• Created a flag football and soccer program to keep our Dream Campers active within theafter-school program and to promote sportsmanship, communication and the value offriendly competition.

• Exposed students to world cultures, geography and traditions with the World Tour Program.

• instilled the importance of positive traits and values such as responsibility, respect,trustworthiness and honesty with the Character Zone Program.

• Taught campers conflict resolution and mediation as the proper ways to react tochallenging situations.

• Educated campers on the importance of healthy food choices by serving nutritious,family-style meals prepared by James Beard Award-winning chefs marc vetri andJeff michaud during our first “Health and Wellness Day.”

• Coached campers to center and calm their minds with yoga and meditation.

EDuCATED

insPiRED

nuRTuRED

2 Dream Camp at Trinity College


PROgRAmOvERviEWAfter-school ProgramStudies have shown thatparticipation in after-schoolprograms has manypositive effects on studenteducational outcomes.Benefits include increasedreading and math scores,improved schoolattendance, and greaterlikelihood of high schoolgraduation and collegeattendance. Dream Campstudents are the beneficiaries ofthese positive educational outcomes.

The 2010-2011 After-School Program marked Dream Camp’s 13thyear in Hartford. On the campus of Trinity College, Dream Camperswere offered homework help, specialized reading and writingdevelopment, math enrichment activities, skills-buildingworkshops, college prep courses, and non-academic activitiesincluding chess, arts and crafts, and fitness and sports programs.

Dream Camp served more than 175 students each week rangingin age from 6 to 18. Aside from academic help and enrichmentactivities, this completely free-of-charge program also offersdoor-to-door transportation and healthy snacks for students.

175Total number of Children

Enrolled

100%of Dream Camp’s High school

graduates Have AttendedCollege

73%of 2010 Trinity mentors

Returned in 2011

DREAm CAmPERs HEADing TO COllEgEsince 2007 when our oldest students were eligible for college acceptance, 100% of Dream Camp’s high school graduateshave gone on to attend college. 2011 marks the fifth year in which our entire class of alumni students boasts a 100%college acceptance and attendance rate. Dream Camp’s 2011 graduates attend the following colleges and universities:

CAMPER COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

Kayla Addison livingstone College in north Carolina

Chelsea Bouier university of Connecticut

Andrea Clay Central Connecticut state university

Darien Franco Trinity College

ivonna goloweijko university of Connecticut

Jasmin gonzalez lasalle university

James Hightower southern Connecticut state university

Christina lopez Eastern Connecticut state university

CAMPER COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

gilberto martinez Central Connecticut state university

marissa miller Western Connecticut state university

Anjali Quinones Central Connecticut state university

Emily Rodriguez middlesex Community College

Robert smieja Worcester Polytechnic institute

Alvaro vega manchester Community College

Teianna Williams mount ida College

VITAL STATISTICS:

Grades6-8 Grades

K-2

Grades3-5

Grades9-12

Dream Camp at Trinity College 3

Dream Camp’s After-School Program offers studentsacademic help and enrichment on a weekly basis

throughout the school year along with door-to-doortransportation to and from the program.


PROgRAmOvERviEWsummer Camp ProgramIn a study completed by RANDCorporation in 2011, it wasfound that elementarystudents lose a month oftheir skills over thesummer months. Thedecline, however, is moresignificant for underservedchildren. Even morealarming, the study showedthat summer learning losshas a cumulative effect,which plays a major role inperpetuating the achievement gap.Dream Camp is mitigating the effectof summer learning loss by ensuring that our students stay focusedand engaged and are learning during the summer.

The 2011 Dream Camp Summer Program was held over a five-weekperiod on the campus of Trinity College. 250 children between theages of 6 and 16 took part in our unique program developed topromote academic and personal growth and enrichment over thesummer break. Campers participated in our specialized literacyprogram, a variety of sports and fitness activities in 10 sportsincluding swimming, creative and performing arts projects, sciencelabs, robotics, dance, music appreciation courses, guest speakerseries, yoga and nutrition awareness workshops. Our 16 to 18 yearold Dream Camp students participated inthe Young Leaders Program (YLP) andMentors In Training (MIT) Program. Theseprograms have been designed to create aleadership pipeline for Dream Camp.

Like our After-School Program, campersattend our Summer Camp completelyfree-of-charge. All tuition, fees,transportation, snacks and meals, campgear and supplies are provided to campersthanks to the generosity of kindheartedindividuals, government grants andresults-driven foundations.

Grades6-8

Grades1-2

Grades3-5

Grades9-12

4 Dream Camp at Trinity College

Dream Camp’s five-week summer program offersstudents academic enrichment, health and fitnessactivities and creative and performing arts projects.

250Total number of Children

Enrolled

28%of summer Team members

Were Former Dream Campers

67%of 2010 staff Returned

in 2011

VITAL STATISTICS:


mEnTORs AnD sTAFFMentoring has proved extremely effective in addressing a broadrange of issues that plague youth in inner cities. Youth paired withmentors tend to stay in school, avoid gang involvement, and avoiddrug use. Dream Camp understands the importance of mentoringand our students reap the benefits.

Dream Camp’s success is built upon the work and dedication of ourstaff. Our exceptional team of educational professionals and TrinityCollege students are committed to the well-being and developmentof our children. Because of this, Dream Camp mentors areadvocates, role models, teachers, sounding boards, authority figuresand friends. They do more than work with our campers. They alsowork with parents and schools to ensure each child’s needs are met.

suPPORTDream Camp is incredibly grateful for the funding support of its2011 donors. Investing in our youth yields positive returns for ourcommunities, now and in the future.

100% of donated funds have gone directly to Dream Campprograms and operations. Tuition-free programs have been offeredto underserved youth living in some of the most troubledneighborhoods.

Our Educators and mentors havereceived degrees or are pursuing degrees in:

Early Childhood Education

Elementary Education • Secondary Education

Physical Education • Child Psychology

16TOTAl numBER OF mEnTORs

73%PERCEnTAgE OF RETuRning mEnTORs

Dream Camp at Trinity College 5


For more information on Dream Camp, please contact:

Carol DarrTrinity CollegeAssistant Director of Corporate, Foundation and government Relations

Phone: 860-297-4287Fax: 860-297-2438Email: [email protected]


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