School Programming is a unique and exciting component of our Troy Camp programs. These programs are possible through a partnership with schools from around USC to put on both tutoring and extracurricular enrichment activities at their respective locations. This partnership allows School Programming to work directly with the schools to mentor their students, many of who have never been to our summer camp. This is what makes these programs unique; often they are the first—and sometimes only—experience these students have with Troy Camp. To take advantage of this and offer them the most well-rounded programs possible, School Programming puts on both SMASH (Student Mentorship and After School Help) and SPs (Specialized Programs).
SMASH is one of our more academically focused programs, where we spend the first hour tutoring the students and helping them study or complete whatever homework they have for that day. The final half-hour then turns into SMASHUp, which consists of extracurricular activities focusing on team-building, collaboration, and other essential skills.
The newer and constantly improving aspect of School Programming is our Specialized Programs, shortened to SPs. SPs serve as more targeted and specific enrichment programs, centered on an overarching theme and expanding on this theme throughout a variety of lessons during the semester. In the course of the past year, School Programming has added two brand new programs called SP STEM and SP Creativity to great success. SP STEM focuses on topics within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, with lessons such as bridge building, egg drop, slime making, and snap-circuits. SP Creativity deals with all things outside of the standard realm of school lessons and has had activities involving origami, yoga, creative recycling, and dance. This program also has curriculum ready for creative writing, illustration, theatre, and videography. Additional SPs include SP Sports, SP Dance, and SP PE.
Elementary School Programming is a wonderful way to both connect with the children around USC who haven’t necessarily had the chance to go to camp, as well as work hand-in-hand with schools and their administration to cater our programs to their needs. As we continue to expand on the educational potential of SPs, we build unique and enriching relationships with our students that go past merely that of a tutor or a helper, and into the realm of a mentor and a friend. Additionally, since we as an organization take 200 3rd through 5th graders to camp in the summer, our programs are a great way to build an initial connection with the kids and their families, so that they can get to know Troy Camp and potentially join us in our long-term mentorship journey by applying to summer camp in the spring.
SMASH is one of our more academically focused programs, where we spend the first hour tutoring the students and helping them study or complete whatever homework they have for that day. The final half-hour then turns into SMASHUp, which consists of extracurricular activities focusing on team-building, collaboration, and other essential skills.
The newer and constantly improving aspect of School Programming is our Specialized Programs, shortened to SPs. SPs serve as more targeted and specific enrichment programs, centered on an overarching theme and expanding on this theme throughout a variety of lessons during the semester. In the course of the past year, School Programming has added two brand new programs called SP STEM and SP Creativity to great success. SP STEM focuses on topics within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, with lessons such as bridge building, egg drop, slime making, and snap-circuits. SP Creativity deals with all things outside of the standard realm of school lessons and has had activities involving origami, yoga, creative recycling, and dance. This program also has curriculum ready for creative writing, illustration, theatre, and videography. Additional SPs include SP Sports, SP Dance, and SP PE.
Elementary School Programming is a wonderful way to both connect with the children around USC who haven’t necessarily had the chance to go to camp, as well as work hand-in-hand with schools and their administration to cater our programs to their needs. As we continue to expand on the educational potential of SPs, we build unique and enriching relationships with our students that go past merely that of a tutor or a helper, and into the realm of a mentor and a friend. Additionally, since we as an organization take 200 3rd through 5th graders to camp in the summer, our programs are a great way to build an initial connection with the kids and their families, so that they can get to know Troy Camp and potentially join us in our long-term mentorship journey by applying to summer camp in the spring.