- Home
- Morry's Camp
- Educational Curriculum
Educational Curriculum
“To succeed in school and life, children and young adults need ongoing opportunities to learn and practice essential skills. This is especially true during the summer months. When the school doors close, many children struggle to access educational opportunities…”
The National Summer School Association, Johns Hopkins University
All students at Morry’s Camp participate in our structured and innovative educational curriculum. Learning is an integral part of every activity at Morry’s Camp, from studying recipes in Culinary Kids to writing lyrics in the Music Studio. One-on-one and small group tutoring is also available for students who need additional assistance.
The Importance of Summer Education
Two-thirds of the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities (Alexander et al, 2007). Summer learning loss, the phenomenon where young people lose academic skills and knowledge over the course of summer holidays, is one of the major contributors to high school dropout rates. As a result of this summer “opportunity gap”, lower-income students are less likely to graduate high school, directly impacting their achievement, and college and career success.
Our educational curriculum aims to eliminate this gap by providing a high-quality and engaging summer learning program which upholds the characteristics of effective summer learning programs as identified by the National Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University.
Characteristics of Effective Summer Learning Programs
Approach to Learning
- Intentional focus on accelerating learning
- Firm commitment to youth development
- Proactive approach to summer learning
Program Infrastructure
- Strong, empowering leadership
- Advanced, collaborative planning
- Extensive opportunities for staff development
- Strategic partnerships
- Rigorous approach to evaluation and commitment to program improvement
- Clear focus on sustainability and cost-effectiveness
Project Morry was Awarded Excellence in Summer Learning (2007) National Center for Summer Learning, Johns Hopkins University
Our Curriculum
8-12 Year Olds
E-Club (Educational Club)
Students work in small groups on an educational project that requires developing their reading, writing, talking and thinking skills. At the Education Club Expo, campers display and share their scientific, historical and literary projects.
Frosh Focus
Frosh Focus is a creative writing activity for first-time campers. Nine year olds participate in small groups and “workshop” a piece of original writing.
Enrichment Periods
This is an opportunity for one-on-one and small group tutoring from our education team.
Library
The Library Program links literature-based activities and the discussion of positive values articulated in Project Morry’s mission statement to engage students with accomplishing these goals.
Summer Olympics
The Summer Olympics is a weekly, camp-wide educational competition in which sportsmanship is the highest honor. Teams represent different countries and compete in math, science and cooperative challenges. All events are created and facilitated by our older campers. Participants seize this moment to shine as leaders, while community and team relationships are built between staff members and campers of all ages.
13-16 Year Olds
High School 101
Campers identify their personal interests and post-high school goals. A portfolio is created that campers, parents, teachers and guidance counselors can use to select appropriate high school courses leading to either college admission or a productive career path. Many of these young people also work on their summer reading lists and educational preparation for the next school year.
LEAD (Leadership, Exploration, Awareness, Development)
LEAD is the two-week summer travel component for rising 10th grade campers. Teens travel through the Northeast and visit an outdoor school, historical sites, museums, parks, cultural performances, and stay overnight with camps that participate in our Camps that Give program. They also visit colleges and universities. Throughout School Year meetings, activities prepare students to embrace these new life experiences with flexibility, an open mind and enhanced communication skills.
Skills & Academic Workshops
Workshops are given throughout the summer and include: college and career preparation, SAT preparation, self-presentation skills, interview skills, resume writing, personal brand creation, time management, personal enrichment, and goal setting.
Journal Writing & Portfolio
Journal writing gives students the chance to practice self-reflection after trips, travel (such as college tours) and leadership experiences. Final year students present a paper in front of peers, alumni and staff articulating how they are going to use the skills they have learned for the benefit of their future and for their community.
Social Justice Program
An educational forum where campers identify and analyze disparities and discrimination in the world around them. Teens meet to discuss and explore inequalities and systems of oppression through group discussion, storytelling, historical analysis, films, workshops and creative writing. Their own power to be agents of positive social change is also examined and critiqued.