"I am a masterpiece created by God. Made out of wonderful love.” These are the words to a favorite chapel song at the Summer Learning Program. On Monday morning, we welcomed 86 of God’s masterpieces through the gates of the Children’s Fresh Air Farm for a summer of reading, math, enrichment, and chapel. It has been a wonderful first week. We have explored the stories of creation, Adam and Eve, Abraham, and Moses and seen the pattern of God’s overwhelming love for us throughout. We studied place value, addition, phonics, comprehension, and so much more! As I walk around the Farm, I am constantly amazed by our teacher’s creativity. Today our 5th Grade were transported to the circus with their math lesson. Their teachers dressed up as clowns and created the most engaging learning environment you can imagine complete with Cotton Candy Comparisons, Creative Clown Mysteries, and Juggling Place Value. At the Farm, learning really is fun!
The campers adore the enrichment activities including: pool, Red Mountain Theatre Company, art, music, PE, coding, and soccer. Many of our students swam for the first time this week. They cheered one another on as returning campers passed the swim test. We sang together, created sculptures, learned basic coding skills, and began to learn theatre skills. Perhaps the most rewarding thing about the Farm is offering opportunities for all students to experience success, love, and encouragement.
In addition to the campers, CFAF has been busy with volunteers who serve as tutors. This ensures that students receive as much small group and one-on-one instruction as possible while they are here. Thank you for your generous support that makes this program possible. Because of you, we are able to provide the summer experience of a lifetime for so many children ( and adults.) If you haven’t had a chance to yet, please visit the Summer Learning Program. It is transformational for all of us who have the privilege of experiencing it.
As one camper wrote in a letter to me on Monday, “I wish I could live at camp.” Me too, buddy. Because this place is special, and set apart. It is holy ground.
Catherine Goudreau
Director of the Children's Fresh Air Farm
