St. Mark Heroes Camp combines academics & adventure to create memorable experiences for kids.
DUBUQUE COUNTY, Iowa – Summer is made for adventure and that’s where St. Mark Heroes Camp comes in.
This week, St. Mark Youth Enrichment opened summer registration for this year’s camp to all area kids entering grades K-5. The program has two campus locations in Dubuque & Dyersville.
The theme of this year’s program is “Every Adventure Begins with You” and will combine adventure & academics to create memorable experiences for area youth.
The camp relies on a team of skilled, caring adults to create spaces that make learning fun—using proven, results-based curriculum & strategies centered on academics & social emotional skills. Kids learn important life skills that will help them succeed in school and in life.
Spots for the camp are limited and registrations are expected to fill fast.
The program will be offered mornings June 15-July 26, 2023 with no programming the week of July 4. Students entering grades K-5th in the Fall of 2023 are eligible. The cost for all 5 weeks of these programs is $500 with limited scholarships available for families in need.
Heroes Camp will be heavily focused on literacy and will also have components of weekly themes, physical activity, snacks and enrichment activities. Guest speakers and readers, as well as field trips, will add to this program, engaging and helping students to learn while having fun. Certified teachers and staff are hired to work with the students, and St. Mark along with the schools will be doing assessments and evaluations to measure the success of the program.
Additionally, each week will incorporate community service, social and emotional well-being, and health and wellness into a literacy and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math, and Music) curriculum. Students will receive a weekly book and a t-shirt to keep by the end of the program.
DUBUQUE CAMPUS INFORMATION
Back this year at St. Mark’s Dubuque Campus are themed classes for 3rd through 5th grade students. All three themed classes will include a focus on academics and social-emotional learning as well.
Foodology
This class will have a stronger focus on food, cooking, and the science behind it.
Nature Navigators
This class will have a stronger focus on nature and exploration.
Project STEAM
This class will have a stronger focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math and will have a specialized curriculum and enrichment to dive deeper into the 5 components of STEAM.
Aftercare Option
Afternoon care in Dubuque is also available through St. Mark’s partnership with the Boy’s & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque. Students must be entering 1st grade or higher next school year. Space is limited.
DYERSVILLE CAMPUS INFORMATION
New this year at St. Mark’s Dyersville Campus are themed classes for 2nd through 5th grade students.
Project STEAM
Eligibility: Open to Western Dubuque Students entering 2nd-3rd grade
This class will have a stronger focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math and will have a specialized curriculum and enrichment to dive deeper into the 5 components of STEAM.
Nature Navigators
Eligibility: Open to Western Dubuque students entering the 4-5th grade.
This class will have a stronger focus on nature and exploration.
PROGRAM IMPACT
Last summer, about 100 children participated in the St. Mark summer program. 91% increased their literacy skills* and 88% demonstrated strengths in social-emotional skills**.
“This program brought smiles and joy to our kids and all of us at St. Mark,” said Executive Director Dawn Cogan. “Together we engaged in days filled with fun, learning, friendship, and adventure.”
To register or learn more, visit www.stmarkyouthenrichment.org/summer or contact afoley@stmarkyouthenrichment.org.
*measured by QuickPhonics Screener
**measured by Devereux Student Strengths Assessment
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St. Mark Heroes Camp is made possible thanks to the kindness of area partners like the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Dubuque, St. John’s Episcopal Church, the Dubuque Masonic Temple, Dyersville Elementary, donors, grantors & others.
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St. Mark Youth Enrichment (formerly St. Mark Community Center) is a non-profit organization that has served the Dubuque Community for more than 30 years. St. Mark provides after school & summer programming in the Dubuque, Dyersville, and Peosta area. To learn more, visit www.stmarkyouthenrichment.org.