21st Century Community Learning Centers Camp Ignite

ECPS 21st CCLC CAMP IGNITE

About the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program

The purpose of the 21st CCLC program is to provide federal funds to establish or expand community learning

centers that operate during out-of-school hours with three specific purposes:

1. Provide opportunities for academic enrichment, including providing tutorial services to help students (particularly students in high poverty areas and those who attend low-performing schools) meet state and local student performance standards in core academic subjects such as reading and mathematics.
2.  Offer students a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities, such as: youth development activities; service learning; nutrition and health education; drug and violence prevention programs; counseling programs; arts, music, physical fitness and wellness programs; technology education programs; financial literacy programs; environmental literacy programs; mathematics, science, career and technical programs; internship or apprenticeship programs; and other ties to an in-demand industry sector or occupation for high school students that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students. 
3. Offer families of students served by 21st CCLCs opportunities for active and meaningful engagement in their children’s education, including opportunities for literacy and related educational development.

The 21st CCLC program is authorized under Title IV, Part B of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The program provides before and after-school, weekend, and summer school academic enrichment opportunities for children attending low-performing schools to help them meet local and state academic standards in subjects such as reading, mathematics, and science. In addition, programs may provide activities for youth development, drug and violence prevention, art, music, technology, character education, counseling, and recreation to enhance the program's academic components. The program also supports a component for family literacy and community outreach.

ECPS 21st CCLC Camp Ignite

Camp Ignite will provide high-quality, tuition-free summer program that offer targeted academic support, engaging enrichment activities, & a safe, nurturing environment for rising K-65th grade students. The program's focus on hands-on learning, personalized instruction, & social-emotional development (SEL) will empower students to succeed academically, develop essential 21st-century skills, & cultivate a lifelong love of learning. The program will create a sustainable & impactful model for summer learning in ECPS. Camp Ignite will serve as a bridge between school years, ensuring students maintain and advance their academic skills in literacy, mathematics, & STEM, while simultaneously developing crucial SEL skills, creativity, & critical thinking abilities.

We aim to combat summer learning loss, improve academic achievement, foster school readiness, & enhance students' overall well-being. We will achieve this by integrating hands-on, project-based learning activities with targeted academic support. We will offer:

Academic Enrichment: Evidence-based literacy & math instruction aligned to NC standards, will reinforce previously learned concepts & prepare students for the upcoming school year. PreK programming will be aligned with the NCFELD using Creative Curriculum. Students will be provided opportunities to expand their learning through field trips.

STEM Exploration: STEM activities that foster critical thinking, problem-solving, & creativity. These activities, facilitated by ECPS Digital Learning Specialists, will include hands-on experiments, robotics challenges, & explorations of real-world STEM applications.

Enrichment & SEL: Enrichment opportunities, including arts, music, and physical activities, will promote creativity, self-expression, & teamwork. Embedded SEL components will support the development of essential skills such as self-regulation, communication, & collaboration through the use of Sanford Harmony & Second Steps (Preschool).

Family Engagement: Workshops & events designed to engage families in their children's learning & provide them with resources & strategies to support academic success at home.