Arts and Science Literacy Camp has pivoted to meet the needs of children
during this time of COVID. Summer of 2020 saw our teachers delivering Camp Kits
to doorsteps and providing learning videos as camps were not able to meet in person.
In the fall, we pivoted to providing "learning mini-pods" vs after school camps to those
of our children most challenged by virtual learning during the 2020-2021 school year.
This summer we will be offering camps again with protocols in place
and a new scheduling format to keep children and teachers and families safe.
Registration is now open!
If you'd like to know more about ASLC...
take a look at our happenings highlighted below!
WOW...we've missed our campers!
during this time of COVID. Summer of 2020 saw our teachers delivering Camp Kits
to doorsteps and providing learning videos as camps were not able to meet in person.
In the fall, we pivoted to providing "learning mini-pods" vs after school camps to those
of our children most challenged by virtual learning during the 2020-2021 school year.
This summer we will be offering camps again with protocols in place
and a new scheduling format to keep children and teachers and families safe.
Registration is now open!
If you'd like to know more about ASLC...
take a look at our happenings highlighted below!
WOW...we've missed our campers!
Click here to watch the interview about Tippe's Arts & Science Literary Camp (ASLC) as shown on TMJ 4 on Tues 2/19
2022 Arts & Science Summer Literacy Camp
- morning information
- afternoon information
- COVID form
Registration forms are Now Available! Email us at [email protected]
Follow ASLCforkids on Facebook for daily updates about programs.
The innovative mission of ASLC and our licensed teachers is to offer engaging, hands-on, integrated arts and science learning experiences that support literacy development as well as the educational and emotional growth of Milwaukee area children. Now open year round!!
Arts and Science Literacy Camp Mission and Goals:
Arts and Science Literacy Camp (ASLC) offers an integrated arts approach to supporting literacy, coupled with fine arts expression and foundation in science, which all contribute to a high level of student academic achievement wherein the whole child benefits from hands on experiences fostering lifelong learning. Weekly themes offer a framework for arts integrated projects promoting literacy strength. ASLC serves children grades K3-7 (lower to middle income and economically disadvantaged); a vibrant community of learners including students who have been diagnosed on the autism spectrum, with cognitive challenges, and speech and language disabilities (representing 25% of those enrolled). Campers are from diverse socioeconomic and racial backgrounds including homeless and low income families. ASLC serves children throughout the city (north and south) and have 2/3 of kids at or below poverty level, a balance of boys to girls, and a balance of Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic campers.
Program focus is to enhance each child's literacy skills through use of nonfiction reading and encoding in handmade journals along with participation in music lessons, theater classes and art therapy. Learning, arts, and science specialists enhance lessons with hands on activities that activate the brain, engaging learners. With three years of summer programming successfully completed serving over 500 children, the expansion of the camp to the school year, offers wraparound care to complement the school day, serving 40 children weekly. And all are welcome to sign up for our monthly Science Saturday October - May.
Arts and Science Literacy Camp (ASLC) offers an integrated arts approach to supporting literacy, coupled with fine arts expression and foundation in science, which all contribute to a high level of student academic achievement wherein the whole child benefits from hands on experiences fostering lifelong learning. Weekly themes offer a framework for arts integrated projects promoting literacy strength. ASLC serves children grades K3-7 (lower to middle income and economically disadvantaged); a vibrant community of learners including students who have been diagnosed on the autism spectrum, with cognitive challenges, and speech and language disabilities (representing 25% of those enrolled). Campers are from diverse socioeconomic and racial backgrounds including homeless and low income families. ASLC serves children throughout the city (north and south) and have 2/3 of kids at or below poverty level, a balance of boys to girls, and a balance of Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic campers.
Program focus is to enhance each child's literacy skills through use of nonfiction reading and encoding in handmade journals along with participation in music lessons, theater classes and art therapy. Learning, arts, and science specialists enhance lessons with hands on activities that activate the brain, engaging learners. With three years of summer programming successfully completed serving over 500 children, the expansion of the camp to the school year, offers wraparound care to complement the school day, serving 40 children weekly. And all are welcome to sign up for our monthly Science Saturday October - May.
In 2019, ASLC served 550 campers over the summer!
Arts and Science Literacy Camp is best summarized by this 2016 video that captures the very essence of what camp offers attendees.
Students learn through a variety of hands on, arts-integrated projects with a literacy focus and spotlight on nature and the community. Lessons are tied to themes, such as:
Arts and Science Literacy Camp is best summarized by this 2016 video that captures the very essence of what camp offers attendees.
Students learn through a variety of hands on, arts-integrated projects with a literacy focus and spotlight on nature and the community. Lessons are tied to themes, such as:
- Fishing Jamboree
- Earth to Humanity
- Rocks
- Hiking
- Wings and Things
- Turtle Camp
- Birds
- Gardening Food for Life
2016 Arts and Science Literacy Camp Recap
Camp clean up is here again and as I make my way outside to check in with our new camp mascot, Squirtle, the box turtle, I can't help but feel an overflow of gratitude for another rich and exciting summer session of ASLC.
Camp highlights included a very full schedule for campers and staff, as we added a few more weeks of morning experiences and were graced with our friends from Hephatha church in the afternoon sessions. We welcomed over 200 students from diverse backgrounds as well as an additional staff member to assist with our campers with special needs.
Each week brought miracles of nature right to our camp site - a visit from the gray heron on the first day of bird camp and turtles resting on the log as we ventured out on our first morning of turtle week. Nature was awakening and present to us in a way that could not be explained except that we knew the universe was alert and in wait for us to get in our places to be a part of it and observe the grand show!
As the summer unfolded, there was unrest in our community and we found it imperative to provide a safe place for healing and conversation in camp. The ASLC children decided to take positive action and become Peacemakers. They described themselves as a pebble of love being gently thrown into a pond and each ripple that emanates from the stone throw represents love rippling out to our families, our schools, our communities and the world. Campers see themselves as peacemakers as they bond and interact with nature and each other on a daily basis. They show respect and honor to the world through sketching, moving, dramatizing and singing!
Our handmade journals were purposefully made from recycled report card envelopes and the campers documented vocabulary, observations and fact finding each day after thoughtful sharing in our daily check in circle. Reaching beyond the building of literacy skills, campers became literate in life skills - acceptance, love, respect and kindness. All this wrapped up into an amazing and powerful experience for all!
Camp clean up is here again and as I make my way outside to check in with our new camp mascot, Squirtle, the box turtle, I can't help but feel an overflow of gratitude for another rich and exciting summer session of ASLC.
Camp highlights included a very full schedule for campers and staff, as we added a few more weeks of morning experiences and were graced with our friends from Hephatha church in the afternoon sessions. We welcomed over 200 students from diverse backgrounds as well as an additional staff member to assist with our campers with special needs.
Each week brought miracles of nature right to our camp site - a visit from the gray heron on the first day of bird camp and turtles resting on the log as we ventured out on our first morning of turtle week. Nature was awakening and present to us in a way that could not be explained except that we knew the universe was alert and in wait for us to get in our places to be a part of it and observe the grand show!
As the summer unfolded, there was unrest in our community and we found it imperative to provide a safe place for healing and conversation in camp. The ASLC children decided to take positive action and become Peacemakers. They described themselves as a pebble of love being gently thrown into a pond and each ripple that emanates from the stone throw represents love rippling out to our families, our schools, our communities and the world. Campers see themselves as peacemakers as they bond and interact with nature and each other on a daily basis. They show respect and honor to the world through sketching, moving, dramatizing and singing!
Our handmade journals were purposefully made from recycled report card envelopes and the campers documented vocabulary, observations and fact finding each day after thoughtful sharing in our daily check in circle. Reaching beyond the building of literacy skills, campers became literate in life skills - acceptance, love, respect and kindness. All this wrapped up into an amazing and powerful experience for all!
'Camp helps me prepare for 2nd grade.' ~Iryn
'It's a way to meet new people.' ~Emilio
'I love reading and writing even more!' ~Adela
'Camp let's me be creative.' ~Kayla
'Camp gives me something to do, it gives me purpose.' ~Ella
'Camp calms me down.' ~Reese
'My body feels loosened up after we work with Betty.' ~Lem
'I saw your teachers helping you create and create, learning new words, observing what you see on nature walks.' ~Sister Kay
'It's a way to meet new people.' ~Emilio
'I love reading and writing even more!' ~Adela
'Camp let's me be creative.' ~Kayla
'Camp gives me something to do, it gives me purpose.' ~Ella
'Camp calms me down.' ~Reese
'My body feels loosened up after we work with Betty.' ~Lem
'I saw your teachers helping you create and create, learning new words, observing what you see on nature walks.' ~Sister Kay
The Wonder of Nature, The Wonder of Art, The Wonder of Literacy…The Wonder of It All!
Arts and Science Literacy Camp for Kids 2015
As we wrapped up another successful summer of Arts and Science Literacy Camp, a word that continues to resonate is "transformative" …and camp was nothing short of that! Students came to us with great enthusiasm and a host of needs that were supported through a host of experiences offered this summer. Engaging literacy through the arts transforms the learning and when linked to nature, this combo becomes an unpotentiated fuel that ignites passion and deep learning in both children and adults.
This summer we served over 155+ campers from North and South locations offering one week literacy sessions around a science theme enhanced through the arts (with many children signing up for more than one week). Grace, Tippecanoe, North Shore, and Christ Presbyterian churches partnered to provide this 6 week experience with additional support received from Session Partnerships of the Presbytery of Milwaukee, Arts at Large, and MPS.
We hosted the high school students from the Ulster Project, connected with new artists, and even composed our theme song! We opened our hearts and minds to friends with special learning needs
(including autism and ADHD) and welcomed children from homeless families as well as non-traditional families. Our camps were rich in ethnic diversity. We were blessed with new friends and new experiences. Saveland Park was the backdrop for multiple nature walks, sketching experiences, and observations. Several visits from the great blue heron, the emergence of a cicada from its exoskeleton, and turtles resting on a log made the camp day even more exciting and memorable!
Working in large and small groups, every day was an adventure. On what was once a page unwritten in a place undiscovered, new words and sentences formed as we unearthed each week's thematic content. Pages filled and minds expanded. And, with support from our partners, we were able to take weekly field trips to Havenwoods’ State Forest where we deepened our friendship with the naturalists who enhanced our discoveries with even more facts and more hands on learning then we ever imagined!
Using a whole language approach, ASLC camp experientially builds background knowledge in our students by connecting the linguistic (words) and nonlinguistic (images, sounds, smells, touch) to create meaning. These connections directly relate to enhanced vocabulary as well. Having students document learning in their hand made camp journals reinforces new concepts and helps to expand upon already known information. Building background knowledge is key to building academics and nature camp activities and teaching are just the way to do it!
The process includes the following components:
*identifying a topic of interest, ASLC works on providing experiences based on a weekly theme
*selecting reading material, ASLC staff provides over 50 books based on the weekly theme in varying reading levels
*uninterrupted reading time starts each ASLC camp session with sustained silent reading in preparation for students to share new facts and insights
*writing about and representing the learned information in our academic notebooks. Journals are made from recycled materials such as file folders, envelopes, and brown paper bags. Campers sketch and label thematic samples as well as plan arts activities that showcase learning. Journals go almost everywhere the camper goes!
*interacting with others about the information through small and large group interactions, campers use the arts (visual, movement, music, theatre) to convey the information they learned. These culminating experiences provide a vehicle for the celebration of learning as well as an evaluative tool for staff to observe the summative and analytical skills of campers. Putting this research into action set the stage for campers to experience the weekly themes at a high level and was truly transformative! Students came to us with great enthusiasm and a host of needs that were supported through a variety of experiences offered this summer. Parent support and involvement were high!
Student responses to camp say it all...
"I learned about trees and bees - I loved it! " C.J.
"Nature Camp is amazing ...I love the arts and crafts and it's totally different and more fun than school!" Owen
"Nature Camp is helping me grow in a better way. I really like the projects, the music, the dancing, and playing instruments." Faith
"Nature Camp has helped me focus and pay attention more. Doing the artwork helps me focus and concentrate. My behavior has changed too. I was acting bad in first grade and in Nature Camp I am actually acting better. Reese
Transformative, fun, and experiential…all while building literacy in our campers and in our community....that's the Nature Camp way!!
Next year promises an expanded number of weeks and the inclusion of greater numbers of kids from throughout the city, perhaps running morning and afternoon sessions each week. We are growing our partnerships and our funders.
Arts and Science Literacy Camp for Kids 2015
As we wrapped up another successful summer of Arts and Science Literacy Camp, a word that continues to resonate is "transformative" …and camp was nothing short of that! Students came to us with great enthusiasm and a host of needs that were supported through a host of experiences offered this summer. Engaging literacy through the arts transforms the learning and when linked to nature, this combo becomes an unpotentiated fuel that ignites passion and deep learning in both children and adults.
This summer we served over 155+ campers from North and South locations offering one week literacy sessions around a science theme enhanced through the arts (with many children signing up for more than one week). Grace, Tippecanoe, North Shore, and Christ Presbyterian churches partnered to provide this 6 week experience with additional support received from Session Partnerships of the Presbytery of Milwaukee, Arts at Large, and MPS.
We hosted the high school students from the Ulster Project, connected with new artists, and even composed our theme song! We opened our hearts and minds to friends with special learning needs
(including autism and ADHD) and welcomed children from homeless families as well as non-traditional families. Our camps were rich in ethnic diversity. We were blessed with new friends and new experiences. Saveland Park was the backdrop for multiple nature walks, sketching experiences, and observations. Several visits from the great blue heron, the emergence of a cicada from its exoskeleton, and turtles resting on a log made the camp day even more exciting and memorable!
Working in large and small groups, every day was an adventure. On what was once a page unwritten in a place undiscovered, new words and sentences formed as we unearthed each week's thematic content. Pages filled and minds expanded. And, with support from our partners, we were able to take weekly field trips to Havenwoods’ State Forest where we deepened our friendship with the naturalists who enhanced our discoveries with even more facts and more hands on learning then we ever imagined!
Using a whole language approach, ASLC camp experientially builds background knowledge in our students by connecting the linguistic (words) and nonlinguistic (images, sounds, smells, touch) to create meaning. These connections directly relate to enhanced vocabulary as well. Having students document learning in their hand made camp journals reinforces new concepts and helps to expand upon already known information. Building background knowledge is key to building academics and nature camp activities and teaching are just the way to do it!
The process includes the following components:
*identifying a topic of interest, ASLC works on providing experiences based on a weekly theme
*selecting reading material, ASLC staff provides over 50 books based on the weekly theme in varying reading levels
*uninterrupted reading time starts each ASLC camp session with sustained silent reading in preparation for students to share new facts and insights
*writing about and representing the learned information in our academic notebooks. Journals are made from recycled materials such as file folders, envelopes, and brown paper bags. Campers sketch and label thematic samples as well as plan arts activities that showcase learning. Journals go almost everywhere the camper goes!
*interacting with others about the information through small and large group interactions, campers use the arts (visual, movement, music, theatre) to convey the information they learned. These culminating experiences provide a vehicle for the celebration of learning as well as an evaluative tool for staff to observe the summative and analytical skills of campers. Putting this research into action set the stage for campers to experience the weekly themes at a high level and was truly transformative! Students came to us with great enthusiasm and a host of needs that were supported through a variety of experiences offered this summer. Parent support and involvement were high!
Student responses to camp say it all...
"I learned about trees and bees - I loved it! " C.J.
"Nature Camp is amazing ...I love the arts and crafts and it's totally different and more fun than school!" Owen
"Nature Camp is helping me grow in a better way. I really like the projects, the music, the dancing, and playing instruments." Faith
"Nature Camp has helped me focus and pay attention more. Doing the artwork helps me focus and concentrate. My behavior has changed too. I was acting bad in first grade and in Nature Camp I am actually acting better. Reese
Transformative, fun, and experiential…all while building literacy in our campers and in our community....that's the Nature Camp way!!
Next year promises an expanded number of weeks and the inclusion of greater numbers of kids from throughout the city, perhaps running morning and afternoon sessions each week. We are growing our partnerships and our funders.
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Arts and Science Literacy Camp 2014
A Mission Ministry of Tippecanoe and Grace Presbyterian Churches...for kids like you!
The Wonder of Nature,
The Wonder of Art,
The Wonder of Literacy…
he Wonder of It All!
As another season comes to an end it’s time to reflect on our Art and Science Literacy Camp led by Jane Borden and Heather Frank this past summer. Each week between 18-24 students entered the Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church gathering space to explore a weekly nature theme including honey bees, camping, pond life, and birds. Through researching, reading, and hands-on arts activities students were able to make connections…to themselves, to their families, to their community, and to their world. Field trips to Whitnall Park and Havenwoods as well as our neighborhood pond at Saveland Park enhanced learning and created deep and meaningful connections for our students.
Our team of teachers brought expertise in areas such as reading and literacy, theatre arts, music, visual arts and arts integration. Each week students interacted in large and small group settings while learning about that week’s theme at a deeper level. This reciprocal teaching style where students “own” their learning and share information with each other supports relationship, trust, and respect. From reading nonfiction to journal writing, creating and designing 3D honey bees and dragonflies, students were active, engaged, and motivated. We observed firsthand the miracle of butterfly hatching from their chrysalis and then released them around the church labyrinth…the children’s choice because they saw that circular pattern as the circle of life pattern in the butterflies’ life. Observation skills were enhanced through bird watching, pond studies, and nature hiking.
The culmination of each week’s learning led to rich dramatic presentations including original music, script writing, and movements. These were performed for each other around the campfire, in the Tippe sanctuary, and in the parlor gathering space.
Students written reflections include:
“I’m glad that everybody tried their best and didn’t compete against each other.” Jozie
“I liked their ability to improvise!” Clayton
“Thank you for teaching us to sing…it was a great day! Ava
“The best part was that we worked really hard together!” Ella
These are just a few examples of the enthusiasm and personal connections the children felt and received during their experience at Arts and Science Literacy Camp.
We are proud to be partnered with generous donations from Grace Presbyterian Church (BayView), Session Partnerships of the Presbytery of Milwaukee, Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church, Arts@Large and YOU!! There is no way this program could be as successful and highly engaging for children without your support. Our gratitude and appreciation to all who believe that the arts connect and raise us up to be successful no matter where we are in our emotional, physical, spiritual, and cognitive journey!
We can’t wait for 2015 with hopes of expanding our outreach and additional weeks of instruction!
A Mission Ministry of Tippecanoe and Grace Presbyterian Churches...for kids like you!
The Wonder of Nature,
The Wonder of Art,
The Wonder of Literacy…
he Wonder of It All!
As another season comes to an end it’s time to reflect on our Art and Science Literacy Camp led by Jane Borden and Heather Frank this past summer. Each week between 18-24 students entered the Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church gathering space to explore a weekly nature theme including honey bees, camping, pond life, and birds. Through researching, reading, and hands-on arts activities students were able to make connections…to themselves, to their families, to their community, and to their world. Field trips to Whitnall Park and Havenwoods as well as our neighborhood pond at Saveland Park enhanced learning and created deep and meaningful connections for our students.
Our team of teachers brought expertise in areas such as reading and literacy, theatre arts, music, visual arts and arts integration. Each week students interacted in large and small group settings while learning about that week’s theme at a deeper level. This reciprocal teaching style where students “own” their learning and share information with each other supports relationship, trust, and respect. From reading nonfiction to journal writing, creating and designing 3D honey bees and dragonflies, students were active, engaged, and motivated. We observed firsthand the miracle of butterfly hatching from their chrysalis and then released them around the church labyrinth…the children’s choice because they saw that circular pattern as the circle of life pattern in the butterflies’ life. Observation skills were enhanced through bird watching, pond studies, and nature hiking.
The culmination of each week’s learning led to rich dramatic presentations including original music, script writing, and movements. These were performed for each other around the campfire, in the Tippe sanctuary, and in the parlor gathering space.
Students written reflections include:
“I’m glad that everybody tried their best and didn’t compete against each other.” Jozie
“I liked their ability to improvise!” Clayton
“Thank you for teaching us to sing…it was a great day! Ava
“The best part was that we worked really hard together!” Ella
These are just a few examples of the enthusiasm and personal connections the children felt and received during their experience at Arts and Science Literacy Camp.
We are proud to be partnered with generous donations from Grace Presbyterian Church (BayView), Session Partnerships of the Presbytery of Milwaukee, Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church, Arts@Large and YOU!! There is no way this program could be as successful and highly engaging for children without your support. Our gratitude and appreciation to all who believe that the arts connect and raise us up to be successful no matter where we are in our emotional, physical, spiritual, and cognitive journey!
We can’t wait for 2015 with hopes of expanding our outreach and additional weeks of instruction!