Kids dream big, embrace learning at summer camp sponsored by Moore Cultural Complex board

What started three years ago as an effort to help local students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to close the academic achievement gap has grown into a more comprehensive effort to help students maintain or improve their grade-level academic performance.

This summer, that effort came to life yet again for kids at the Summer Academic Enrichment Camp, sponsored and administered by the Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Cultural Complex board of directors in North Brevard.

For 28 students participating in this year's camp, those three weeks in July were all about summer vibes and future dreams, filled with improving skills in reading, math, vocabulary, and science projects.

It's all possible, this learning- and adventure-filled camp, because of a generous donation from Titusville High graduate and dotcom executive Colleen McCreary, who says throughout her education in Brevard County, she never learned about the life or legacy of Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore.

The Moores, educators turned civil rights activists in Florida during the 1930s and until their murders in 1951, were devoted teachers. And the couple's passion for learning lives on through the Moore Cultural Complex, and the countless supporters dedicated to seeing children reach their potential and beyond through year-round learning opportunities.

Along with seeing old friends from last year and making new friends this year, students were taught the benefits of positive behavior, time management and teamwork — complemented with entertainment like a magic show and experiences including a session on home and school fire safety.

The camp, with capacity for 30, was held at the Antioch Christian Fellowship Church Education Annex in Titusville. The Moore Cultural Complex Board feels grateful to have found available classroom facilities at Antioch as rental fees at other properties are prohibitive.

The camp is fully funded by the board, with salaries for four teachers; breakfast, snacks, and lunch each day for all students; custodial care for the facilities; computer software for student lessons; certificates, trophies, and camp T-shirts; and a donation for utilization of the facilities where the camp is held.

More: 'Resistance is redemptive': Black history classes thrive in Brevard but leaders anxious

Open to any elementary-grade student attending North Brevard public schools, the camp started with the help of former Brevard Public Schools Superintendent Mark Mullins. Coquina Elementary is the BPS liaison school and assists with the distribution of camp flyers and parental registration forms. The Coquina principal, Ms. Blair Lovelace, sees it as a plus to be able to partner with a local community-based organization to help improve students’ academic skills while providing a wholesome, safe learning environment during summer break.

Teachers working with the students are either current BPS; teachers or retired teachers with many years of experience in the classroom. All have expressed a real joy at being able to work with these students and witness that moment of excitement that comes with “Yes, I got this” when a student finally understand a concept. And this year's camp was especially meaningful for one teacher, Mrs Jean Samuel. While she couldn't be with her class on the last day and attend the camp's closing ceremony, she, too, was seeing the effect of dreaming big and lifelong learning as she traveled with her family to graduation exercises after earning her doctor of education degree.

More: Changes to expect at Brevard Public Schools going into the 2023-2024 school year

Several families who have had students attend the camp over the last three years have expressed their appreciation and gratitude for the camp, which not only helped their student perform better academically but, in some cases, helped improve negative behavior of students. Parents, including Ms. LaQuasia Bartley and Ms. Marlena Rains, stated they are "ever so grateful" that an organization in the local community decided to use some of its resources to help students in a positive way during the summer. Both Ms. Rains' and Ms. Bartley’s students have participated in the camp over the past three years.

The fact that the camp is conducted in July helps ensure students are prepped to return to regular school with a “learning state of mind." Some of the parents have expressed that they have seen positive attitude changes via the students’ desire to perform better in regular school, as well as being enthusiastic about attending camp sessions.

In addition to using the McCreary donation to help bring a needed service to the community. the interaction with students and parents provides an opportunity to share information regarding available school resources that are in place to help their students reach their full potential.

In its purest form, helping students "be all they can be” is the goal.

I feel the Moores would be extremely proud knowing their legacy of educating our students continues on.

William Gary is the president of the Moore Cultural Complex Board.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Legacy of Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore thrives at this summer camp