For 1,034 students, summer with Carver meant more than a break from the school year. Across 13 summer programs, children and teens explored new interests, strengthened academic skills, built friendships, and prepared for the grades ahead.
In Bridgeport, Carver’s Kick-Off to Kindergarten program welcomed 75 incoming kindergarteners across six classrooms. Through early literacy, math, science, and activities that supported social and emotional growth, students began building the confidence to enter school ready to learn.
In Norwalk, summer enrichment camps brought learning and recreation together. Certified teachers led hands-on math and literacy activities, while students made time for art, physical play, and trips to places including the Maritime Aquarium, Stepping Stones Museum, and the Bronx Zoo. At Kendall Elementary School, Carver also extended the Norwalk Public Schools Summer Academy day with afternoon enrichment, recreation, and wellness activities.
Summer provided a chance to prepare for a new school. Carver’s middle school transition programs served 246 rising sixth graders, helping them get to know their new schools and peers through academic projects, enrichment, and shared experiences. High school transition programs served 61 rising ninth graders, with activities designed to strengthen academic and social readiness as students approached their first year of high school.
Learning also took students beyond the classroom. Through Carver’s partnership with Ridgebury Farms, campers spent time with animals and explored nature in sessions guided by a licensed mental health counselor. At the Ecology School in Maine, 85 students in grades 6–10 took part in outdoor activities ranging from canoeing and tide pool exploration to gardening and birdwatching. Returning students arrived early to welcome the new sixth-grade participants, putting their own leadership skills into practice.
From a child’s first steps toward kindergarten to a teenager’s preparation for high school, each program offered a different way to grow. Together, they made summer a season of learning, connection, and discovery for Carver students.