Building More Than Towers: Rising 6th Graders Strengthen Skills for Success at West Rocks Middle School

As students prepare for the important transition from elementary school to middle school, Carver's Summer Transition Program at West Rocks Middle School is helping rising 6th graders build confidence, connections, and critical thinking skills—one challenge at a time.

Led by Michael Richards, Director of the Summer Transition Program and a certified teacher at West Rocks Middle School, the program provides rising 6th graders with a supportive environment where they can become familiar with their new school while developing the academic and social-emotional skills needed for success.

In addition to meeting their new peers and getting acquainted with their new school and teachers, Week One introduced students to a series of increasingly complex engineering and problem-solving activities designed to encourage teamwork, creativity, and perseverance.

The challenge began with a simple task: using only paper and tape to build a tower strong enough to support a book. The following day, students were given similar materials along with popsicle sticks and asked to apply what they had learned from their first attempt to improve their designs. As the week progressed, the challenges became more ambitious. Students worked together to construct the tallest possible structures using plastic cups and cardboard tissue rolls before culminating the week with a classic engineering test—building towers from spaghetti and marshmallows.

While some structures stood tall and others collapsed along the way, every challenge provided valuable lessons. Students collaborated with teammates, tested ideas, revised their plans, and learned that failure is often an important step toward success.

More importantly, they demonstrated the very skills that will help them thrive in middle school: communication, resilience, critical thinking, and the confidence to tackle new challenges.

As these future West Rocks students prepare for the school year ahead, they are already building a strong foundation—not just for taller towers, but for a successful transition to middle school and beyond.

We look forward to sharing more highlights from the Summer Transition Program throughout the summer as students continue exploring, learning, and growing together.

From Norwalk to Maine: How Carver’s Summer Initiative is Expanding Horizons and Strengthening Student Success

For many young people, summer camp is a cherished tradition filled with adventure, discovery, and lifelong memories. Through Carver’s New England Ecology Camp Initiative, that experience becomes much more than a summer getaway—it becomes a multi-year journey of growth, confidence, leadership, and academic success.

Each summer, Carver students entering grades 6 through 9 (this summer we are adding rising 10th graders) travel to Maine to spend a week at The Ecology School at River Bend Farm, a historic 105-acre campus nestled along a scenic bend of the Saco River just minutes from the coast. There, students explore forests, fields, rivers, and working farmland while participating in hands-on environmental science, outdoor education, team-building activities, and personal development experiences.

What makes this program unique is its long-term design. Each year, a new cohort of rising sixth graders attends camp for the first time. They are joined by returning students from previous years, creating a continuous pathway that allows participants to return summer after summer until their final experience as rising ninth graders. This rolling-cohort model helps students build lasting friendships, deepen their connection to nature, and strengthen their confidence as they progress through the critical middle school years.

The impact extends far beyond the week students spend in Maine.

A recent longitudinal analysis of Carver’s New England Ecology Camp participants found that students who attended the program consistently outperformed their peers in mathematics growth. Over three years, the percentage of camp participants meeting their NWEA MAP math growth goals increased from 59% to 67%, while the gap between camp participants and non-participants widened from 5 percentage points to 9 percentage points. Researchers concluded that the program appears to have a meaningful and cumulative impact on academic growth over time.

The study also found that camp participants maintained reading growth comparable to their peers, demonstrating that a nature-based, experiential learning environment supports academic development without sacrificing literacy outcomes.

Since launching in 2022, the program has grown rapidly. What began with just 17 students has expanded to serve 89 unique participants, with students returning for multiple summers. This steady growth reflects the trust families place in the experience and the profound impact students bring home.

At The Ecology School, students learn to paddle rivers, investigate ecosystems, work collaboratively, solve problems, and challenge themselves in new ways. For many, it is their first experience living away from home, sharing responsibilities with peers, and seeing a different part of New England. These moments build independence, resilience, curiosity, and leadership—qualities that support success both inside and outside the classroom.

Carver believes that education happens everywhere. Through the New England Ecology Camp Initiative, students gain not only unforgettable summer memories, but also the confidence, skills, and experiences that help prepare them for a bright future.

Because sometimes the most important classroom has no walls at all.

Public Notice: The Carver to Submit 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Proposal for Side by Side Charter School

At The Carver, we believe every young person deserves opportunities to discover new interests, strengthen academic skills, and prepare for future success. Today, we are pleased to announce another important step toward expanding those opportunities for Norwalk students.

The Carver, in partnership with Side by Side Charter School, intends to submit an application to the Connecticut State Department of Education for funding under the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, Cohort 22 (2026–2027). This post serves as formal public notice of our intent to apply. The application submission deadline is July 8, 2026.

The Proposed Program

If awarded, the grant will support an innovative after-school program serving approximately 45 students in grades 5 through 8 at Side by Side Charter School beginning in September 2026. The program will operate Monday through Thursday from 3:00 to 5:30 PM throughout the school year, providing 128 days of high-quality academic support and enrichment. Transportation home will be provided at no cost to participating families.

Students will receive certified-teacher-led homework assistance and targeted instruction in literacy and mathematics while participating in an exciting array of hands-on enrichment experiences. Program offerings include environmental science, engineering design, robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, app development, cybersecurity, digital photography, financial literacy, renewable energy, visual arts, chess, wellness, and social-emotional learning. Students will engage in authentic, project-based experiences that encourage creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving while preparing them for success in high school, college, and future careers.

Family engagement will be woven throughout the program through STEM family nights, financial empowerment workshops, student showcases, cultural experiences, wellness events, and celebrations of student achievement. These opportunities strengthen the partnership between home and school while creating meaningful learning experiences for the entire family.

This proposed program reflects The Carver's commitment to preparing young people not only to succeed academically, but also to become confident innovators, thoughtful leaders, and engaged members of their communities. By combining rigorous academic support with immersive, real-world learning experiences, the program will help students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world.

A copy of the completed grant application will be available for public review upon request following submission.

The Carver is grateful for the continued partnership of Side by Side Charter School, our community partners, families, educators, and supporters who share our vision of equipping every student with the opportunity to learn, lead, and succeed.

Welcome to Carver Summer 2026!

Across Norwalk and Bridgeport, and even soon in Maine, children and teens are arriving for the first day of Carver Summer 2026, launching five weeks of learning, enrichment, adventure, and opportunity.

More than 1,000 young people will participate in Carver summer programs this year, making this one of the organization's largest and most impactful summers yet.

At the new Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School, hundreds of children ages 5-13 are beginning their summer camp experience, enjoying a full schedule of academics, recreation, arts, wellness activities, special events, and opportunities to make new friends. For many families, this marks the start of a summer tradition that creates memories lasting long after August arrives.

Students attending After the Bell Enrichment Camp at Jefferson Elementary School will engage in hands-on science, art, marine science, engineering, social-emotional learning, and weekly field trips that transform summer into an exciting learning adventure.

At Kendall Elementary School, approximately 150 students enrolled in After the Summer Bell will continue their day following Norwalk Public Schools Summer School, participating in enrichment activities and receiving quality care through the afternoon hours.

Across Norwalk, rising sixth graders are beginning Carver's Middle School Transition Program, building the academic, organizational, and social-emotional skills needed for a successful start to middle school this fall. Rising ninth graders are similarly preparing for high school through programs designed to strengthen confidence, readiness, and student success.

In Bridgeport, 90 young learners are participating in Kick-Off to Kindergarten across six sites, helping ensure they enter school this fall ready to learn and thrive.

One of Carver's most distinctive summer opportunities is its partnership with The Ecology School in Maine, a multi-year outdoor learning experience that gives students the chance to enjoy a traditional New England sleepaway camp while developing confidence, independence, and leadership skills. This year, the program has been rescheduled from June to August 7–14 due to the extended school year. Held at The Ecology School's River Bend Farm, a historic 105-acre campus situated on a scenic bend of the Saco River just twenty minutes from the Maine coast, the experience immerses students in hands-on environmental education and outdoor adventure. Participants explore forests, fields, rivers, and coastal ecosystems while canoeing, hiking, conducting scientific investigations, and building lasting friendships. Each summer, a new cohort of 25 rising sixth graders attends for the first time and is joined by returning cohorts from previous years, creating a unique progression in which students continue participating each summer through the summer before ninth grade. The result is a powerful four-year experience that combines outdoor exploration, personal growth, environmental stewardship, and youth leadership in a setting unlike anything most students have ever encountered.

The summer excitement will continue throughout the coming weeks. Students will participate in leadership and mentorship programs, enjoy field trips and special activities, and later this summer travel to Maine for an unforgettable outdoor learning experience at The Ecology School.

Behind every program is a dedicated team of educators, counselors, youth development professionals, and community partners committed to helping young people discover their strengths, build new skills, and realize their potential.

Today is more than the first day of camp.

It is the beginning of thousands of learning experiences, friendships, discoveries, and moments of growth that will shape the summer of 2026.

Welcome to Carver Summer 2026.

Public Notice: The Carver to Submit 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Proposal for Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School

At The Carver, some of our favorite news to share is news about what's coming next for Norwalk's children—and today we have another exciting opportunity to announce.

The Carver, in partnership with Norwalk Public Schools and Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School, intends to submit an application to the Connecticut State Department of Education for funding under the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, Cohort 22 (2026–2027). This post serves as formal public notice of our intent to apply. The application submission deadline is July 8, 2026.

The Proposed Program

If awarded, the grant will support a comprehensive after-school program serving approximately 84 students in kindergarten through fifth grade at Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School beginning in August 2026. The program will operate Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 5:30 PM throughout the school year, providing students with a safe, engaging, and academically enriching environment beyond the regular school day.

Led by certified teachers and experienced youth development professionals, students will participate in daily homework assistance, literacy and mathematics enrichment, hands-on STEM investigations, coding and robotics, engineering challenges, visual arts, wellness and recreation activities, leadership development, and social-emotional learning. Family engagement will be a central component of the program through educational workshops, family learning events, student showcases, and bilingual outreach designed to strengthen the connection between home and school.

Located in the heart of South Norwalk, Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School is the city's first new neighborhood elementary school in more than 40 years, created to serve a diverse and vibrant community. The proposed 21st CCLC program will build upon that vision by expanding opportunities for students to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally while supporting working families with high-quality extended learning opportunities.

This proposed program reflects The Carver's longstanding partnership with Norwalk Public Schools and our shared commitment to ensuring that every child has access to exceptional educational opportunities regardless of circumstance.

A copy of the completed grant application will be available for public review upon request following submission.

We appreciate the continued support of our students, families, educators, community partners, and the greater Norwalk community as we work together to expand opportunities for every child to learn, grow, and succeed.

As July 4th Weekend Concludes, Carver Prepares to Welcome Summer 2026

As families across our communities enjoy the final day of the Independence Day weekend, The Carver is preparing for one of the most exciting moments of the year: the start of Carver Summer 2026.

Tomorrow morning, classrooms, camp spaces, gymnasiums, and playgrounds across Norwalk and Bridgeport will come alive as more than 1,000 children and teens begin a summer filled with learning, exploration, friendship, and fun.

For many students, summer means new adventures. Some will be preparing for their first day of kindergarten through Carver's Kick-Off to Kindergarten program. Others will be making the important transition to middle school or high school. Hundreds more will participate in enrichment camps, leadership programs, sports activities, field trips, and hands-on learning experiences designed to help them continue growing long after the school year ends.

This year also marks an exciting change as many of our summer programs move to the beautiful new Dr. Ruby Shaw Elementary School in South Norwalk while renovations continue at the Carver Community Center. The new school will provide an outstanding setting for young people to learn, create, play, and build lasting memories.

Summer learning has always been about more than academics. It is about confidence, curiosity, friendships, leadership, and helping young people discover new possibilities for themselves and their futures. Every Carver summer program is designed to support the whole child through engaging experiences that promote academic growth, social-emotional development, physical wellness, and personal achievement.

As we wrap up a holiday weekend that celebrates freedom, opportunity, and community, we are reminded of the importance of creating opportunities for every child to thrive. We are grateful to our families, staff, teachers, community partners, and supporters whose commitment makes these programs possible year after year.

Tomorrow, a new summer begins.

We can't wait to welcome our students.

Free Summer Meals and Family Resources Available Across Connecticut

As summer begins, families across Connecticut have access to important resources designed to help children stay healthy, connected, and supported while school is out.

Through the USDA's Summer Nutrition Programs, children and teens ages 18 and younger can receive free, nutritious meals at hundreds of locations throughout Connecticut this summer. No registration, application, income verification, or identification is required. Children simply show up and enjoy a healthy meal at no cost to their families.

The Connecticut State Department of Education encourages families to use the USDA Summer Meals Site Finder beginning in late June to locate participating meal sites near them. Because locations and schedules may change during the summer, families should check site information before visiting.

Many eligible families will also automatically receive Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) benefits, which help cover the cost of groceries when school is not in session. Families who believe they may qualify but have not received benefits can learn more and apply through the State of Connecticut's S-EBT program.

In addition to meeting children's nutritional needs, Connecticut is reminding families that summer is also an important time to support children's emotional well-being. The state's "Connection Is the Key to a Healthy Summer" campaign encourages families to help children stay connected to family, friends, community activities, and trusted support systems. Research consistently shows that young people who feel connected are more likely to thrive both now and in the future.

Families can strengthen these connections by spending time together, participating in community programs, visiting libraries and parks, exploring summer employment opportunities, and checking in regularly about how children are feeling. The campaign also reminds parents that sudden changes in mood or behavior may be signs that a child needs additional support.

Immediate mental health assistance is available statewide. Families can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, call 211 (Option 1, then Option 1 again) to reach Youth Mobile Crisis services, or visit Connecticut's Urgent Crisis Centers for in-person support. Additional mental and behavioral health resources are available through Connecting to Care Connecticut.

At Carver, we know that summer learning, enrichment, nutrition, and positive relationships all work together to help young people succeed. We encourage families to take advantage of these valuable statewide resources while enjoying a safe, healthy, and connected summer.

For more information about Carver's summer programs, including camps, summer transition programs, and academic enrichment opportunities serving more than 1,000 local youth this summer, visit our website or contact our team.

Public Notice: The Carver's Intent to Apply for 21st Century Community Learning Centers Funding — The Marvin and Naramake Scholars Program

At The Carver, some of our favorite news to share is news about what's coming next for Norwalk's kids — and today we have some.

The Carver, in partnership with Norwalk Public Schools, intends to submit an application to the Connecticut State Department of Education for funding under the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, Cohort 22 (2026–2027). This post serves as formal public notice of our intent to apply. The submission deadline is July 8, 2026.

The Proposed Program

If awarded, the grant will support the Scholars Program at Marvin Elementary School and Naramake Elementary School, serving approximately 105 students in grades 4 and 5 beginning in September 2026. Operating Monday through Thursday from 3:00 to 5:30 PM throughout the school year, the Scholars Program pairs certified-teacher-led academic support with hands-on STEAM exploration, arts, wellness activities, and family engagement events — all designed around one big goal: preparing our fourth and fifth graders for a strong, confident transition to middle school. Bus transportation home will be provided at no cost to families.

A Word About Partnership

None of this happens alone. This proposal grows out of The Carver's longstanding partnership with Norwalk Public Schools and the more than fifteen years we've spent designing and operating after-school and summer programs alongside Norwalk's educators, families, and community partners. Every friend of Carver — our school principals and teachers, our enrichment partners, our volunteers, and most of all our families — has a hand in shaping this work, and we're grateful for it.

Review the Application and Share Your Input

We welcome your comments, questions, and recommendations regarding this proposed program. In accordance with federal and state requirements, the full application and any waiver requests will be available for public review upon request following submission. To request a copy, share input, or learn more, please contact Jim Schaffer, Grants Manager and Institutional Research, at jim@the-carver.org or 203-912-2802, or visit The Carver at 7 Academy Street, Norwalk, CT 06850, during normal business hours.

Students who attend private school and reside within the attendance areas of Marvin Elementary School or Naramake Elementary School are eligible to participate. Private school administrators and families who would like more information are encouraged to reach out using the contact information above.

Thank you, Norwalk, for believing — as we do — that every child deserves a great place to learn, grow, and belong after the school bell rings. We'll keep you posted.

Public Notice: The Carver's Intent to Apply for 21st Century Community Learning Centers Funding — The Jefferson and Silvermine Scholars Program

At The Carver, some of our favorite news to share is news about what's coming next for Norwalk's kids — and today we have some.

The Carver, in partnership with Norwalk Public Schools, intends to submit an application to the Connecticut State Department of Education for funding under the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program, Cohort 22 (2026–2027). This post serves as formal public notice of our intent to apply. The submission deadline is July 8, 2026.

The Proposed Program

If awarded, the grant will support the Scholars Program at Jefferson Marine Science Magnet School and Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School, serving approximately 105 students in grades 4 and 5 beginning in September 2026. Operating four afternoons per week, Monday through Thursday, throughout the school year, the Scholars Program pairs certified-teacher-led daily academic support with hands-on STEAM and enrichment experiences — robotics, gardening and cooking science, marine navigation, coding, and the arts — alongside social-emotional learning, wellness activities, and family engagement events, all designed around one big goal: preparing our fourth and fifth graders for a strong, confident transition to middle school. Bus transportation home will be provided at no cost to families.

A Word About Partnership

None of this happens alone. This proposal grows out of The Carver's longstanding partnership with Norwalk Public Schools and the more than fifteen years we've spent designing and operating after-school and summer programs alongside Norwalk's educators, families, and community partners. Every friend of Carver — our school principals and teachers, our enrichment partners, our volunteers, and most of all our families — has a hand in shaping this work, and we're grateful for it.

Review the Application and Share Your Input

We welcome your comments, questions, and recommendations regarding this proposed program. In accordance with federal and state requirements, the full application and any waiver requests will be available for public review upon request following submission. To request a copy, share input, or learn more, please contact Jim Schaffer, Grants Manager and Institutional Research, at jim@the-carver.org or 203-912-2802, or visit The Carver at 7 Academy Street, Norwalk, CT 06850, during normal business hours.

Students who attend private school and reside within the attendance areas of Jefferson Marine Science Magnet School or Silvermine Dual Language Magnet School are eligible to participate. Private school administrators and families who would like more information are encouraged to reach out using the contact information above.

Thank you, Norwalk, for believing — as we do — that every child deserves a great place to learn, grow, and belong after the school bell rings. We'll keep you posted.

From Norwalk to Maine: How Carver’s Summer Initiative is Expanding Horizons and Strengthening Student Success

For many young people, summer camp is a cherished tradition filled with adventure, discovery, and lifelong memories. Through Carver’s New England Ecology Camp Initiative, that experience becomes much more than a summer getaway—it becomes a multi-year journey of growth, confidence, leadership, and academic success.

Each summer, Carver students entering grades 6 through 9 (this summer we are adding rising 10th graders) travel to Maine to spend a week at The Ecology School at River Bend Farm, a historic 105-acre campus nestled along a scenic bend of the Saco River just minutes from the coast. There, students explore forests, fields, rivers, and working farmland while participating in hands-on environmental science, outdoor education, team-building activities, and personal development experiences.

What makes this program unique is its long-term design. Each year, a new cohort of rising sixth graders attends camp for the first time. They are joined by returning students from previous years, creating a continuous pathway that allows participants to return summer after summer until their final experience as rising ninth graders. This rolling-cohort model helps students build lasting friendships, deepen their connection to nature, and strengthen their confidence as they progress through the critical middle school years.

The impact extends far beyond the week students spend in Maine.

A recent longitudinal analysis of Carver’s New England Ecology Camp participants found that students who attended the program consistently outperformed their peers in mathematics growth. Over three years, the percentage of camp participants meeting their NWEA MAP math growth goals increased from 59% to 67%, while the gap between camp participants and non-participants widened from 5 percentage points to 9 percentage points. Researchers concluded that the program appears to have a meaningful and cumulative impact on academic growth over time.

The study also found that camp participants maintained reading growth comparable to their peers, demonstrating that a nature-based, experiential learning environment supports academic development without sacrificing literacy outcomes.

Since launching in 2022, the program has grown rapidly. What began with just 17 students has expanded to serve 89 unique participants, with students returning for multiple summers. This steady growth reflects the trust families place in the experience and the profound impact students bring home.

At The Ecology School, students learn to paddle rivers, investigate ecosystems, work collaboratively, solve problems, and challenge themselves in new ways. For many, it is their first experience living away from home, sharing responsibilities with peers, and seeing a different part of New England. These moments build independence, resilience, curiosity, and leadership—qualities that support success both inside and outside the classroom.

Carver believes that education happens everywhere. Through the New England Ecology Camp Initiative, students gain not only unforgettable summer memories, but also the confidence, skills, and experiences that help prepare them for a bright future.

Because sometimes the most important classroom has no walls at all.