Summer Enrichment Program Offers Opportunities to Students in Greenville County

Children, some of whom have never been to the beach, or even out of the Upstate are seeing things they've never seen or done before. They are part of the Summer Enrichment program underway at Lakeview Middle School in Greenville County.

Sixty-five students, grades kindergarten through eight, were preserving those special memories by scrapbooking Wednesday. The program includes six weeks of academics, hands-on learning, a field trip to Charleston, family involvement, tennis lessons, basketball clinics, piano lessons and even modeling!

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Communities in Schools of Greenville County Announces Event as Conclusion to Summer Enrichment Program

Camp CIS worked with 65 at-risk children as an extension of Communities in Schools of Greenville County’s after-school programs. The wrap-up event for the six-week summer enrichment program will be held Wednesday, July 22, 2009.

Greenville, S.C., July 21, 2009 -- Communities in Schools of Greenville County is hosting a “Summer Showcase” to culminate the activities of a six-week Summer Enrichment Program called Behind the Scenes with Camp CIS. The “Summer Showcase” will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2009 from 3:15 to 5 p.m. at Lakeview Middle School. The event will include a fashion show, the presentation of student-created books, and highlights from each class of academic projects students have worked on throughout the summer.

Camp CIS served 65 at-risk children from three area schools and focused on providing assistance academically, socially, and behaviorally. Over the course of the program, children were able to take advantage of hands-on learning opportunities, family literacy events, and family field trips to Cherokee, N.C.; Charleston, S.C.; and Atlanta, G.A. The program also provided academic support, tennis lessons, basketball clinics, piano lessons, personal development, and several meals daily.

Executive Director Susi Smith said, “We were so excited to be able to offer this camp to the students we serve all year. The summer program gave us the opportunity to expose the children to many wonderful things in a fun environment while also helping them stay on track academically.”

Amy Clifton, After-school Program Director for CIS, said, “It has been so exciting to see the growth of our students throughout the summer, not only academically but also in terms of their leadership, poise, confidence, and compassion for others. Summer break is often a time when students lose the gains they have made during the school year, but our kids are having life-changing experiences thanks to Camp CIS!"

Funded by a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant from the SC Department of Education, Camp CIS is an extension of Communities in Schools of Greenville County’s after-school programs.

Communities in Schools of Greenville County is a non-profit that serves as a bridge between schools and businesses, faith groups, and other nonprofit agencies, identifying and utilizing local resources to provide a range of services such as: mentoring, tutoring, health care referrals, summer and after-school programs, family strengthening initiatives and service learning. For more information, contact Amy Clifton at 864-907-4959