Summer Campers Go Bowling!

In addition to the educational programs to prepare our campers for returning to school in the fall, we take our campers on field trips.

Today, some of our boys went to Nutmeg Bowl in Fairfield.

The game of ten-pin bowling is divided into ten rounds (called "frames"). In a frame, each player is given two opportunities to knock down the skittle targets (called "pins"). The player rolls the first ball at the pins. If the first ball knocks down all ten pins, it is called a "strike" and the frame is completed. When pins are left standing after the first ball, those that are knocked down are counted and then removed. Then the player rolls a second ball and if all the remaining pins are knocked down, it is called a "spare". There are bonuses for removing all the pins. Play passes to the next player until all players have completed the frame. Then play continues with the next frame. The final or tenth frame of a game may involve three balls.

Not sure everyone knew the all the rules, but we are sure everyone had a marvelous time!

RSVP for Carver's 4th Annual Golf Classic!

The Y Teaches Our Summer Campers How to Swim!

The Riverbrook Regional YMCA at the Wilton branch is an integral part of the Carver community. The Y shares its human and physical resources with other agencies such as Carver that can benefit from collaboration. 

Right now, the Y Youth Swimming Lesson Program is helping Carver summer campers to become competent and confident swimmers! Children are introduced to the water through a graduated series of lessons developed and standardized by the YMCA of the USA. The program is divided into age groups, and children move through the levels at their own pace as their abilities and skills grow. 

Carver's beginning swimmers work on water acclimation, safety, and basic swimming skills. Children may or may not swim independently with a float belt. Our more advanced youth work on swim strokes for front and back, safety, self-confidence, and endurance. 

It's collaborations like this with the Y that makes the goals and dreams of our youth possible. THANK YOU, the Y! 

The Community Fund of Darien Renews its Annual Support of Carver Kids!

Carrie Bernier, Executive Director, and Lisa Hass, Grants Director, The Community Fund of Darien; Novelette Peterkin, Carver's Executive Director; and Steve Ward (President, Board of Directors, The Community Fund of Darien, and a member of Carver's Finance Committee

Carver is deeply grateful for the long-term and generous annual support we receive from The Community Fund of Darien.  Here is a photo of Novelette receiving the 2017-2018 grant award of $38,000 for our after-school Youth Development Program. 

For over 67 years (almost as old as Carver!), The Community Fund of Darien’s mission has been to help Darien and their neighbors in Stamford and Norwalk by investing in programs aimed at improving the quality of life for all.

In addition to its community initiatives, The Community Fund of Darien awards grants to local nonprofits helping to address a broad spectrum of vital human services including mental health, substance abuse, at-risk youth, homelessness, hunger, child abuse, special needs and more.

The Community Fund of Darien is made possible by many generous people changing lives with their investments of time, expertise and support. They improve the quality of life for their many beneficiaries through responsible, conscientious and strategic grantmaking through annual grants, small and emergency grants and their Touch a Life Fund. Through their initiative and leadership,The Community Fund of Darien brings social service professionals and Darien town leaders to assess needs, evaluate services, identify and pursue solutions. 

Thank You, The Community Fund of Darien!

First County Bank Foundation renews its support of Carver kids!

Carver is grateful for the First County Bank Foundation renewing its support of Carver kids!

Carver's Novelette Peterkin, and Wendy Macedo and Steven Ferguson of First County Bank

The Foundation, which was established in 2001 to honor the bank’s 150th anniversary, contributes generously to nonprofit organizations that support community and economic development; increase the availability of affordable housing and programs that support quality of life and educational enrichment for families and children.

Its giving reflects the dedication and charitable inclination of First County Bank, its Directors, Corporators, Officers and Employees. As a mutual community bank with no shareholders, First County Bank considers contributions made by the Foundation a means of paying dividends back to the local communities it serves.

Since 2001, the First County Bank Foundation has awarded over 1,000 individual grants, worth  over $8.2 million. The Foundation awarded over 140 grants totaling almost $600,000 in 2016 alone.

Carver is grateful that First County Bank is able to give back to the community not only through their Foundation grants and donations, but also through their giving of the time and talents of the men and women that work for the bank. 

Carver thrives because of the tremendous investments people and institutions like First County Bank make in the lives of Carver kids. THANK YOU!

Freshman Summer Success Academy at Norwalk High School

Each summer, Carver conducts the Freshman Summer Success Academy at Brien McMahon and Norwalk High Schools. Rising 9th graders participate in our 5-week summer program.  

Research suggests that the most difficult transition point in education is from middle to high school. Navigating a larger environment, excelling in rigorous courses, meeting graduation requirements, and juggling competing priorities can be quite challenging. The Freshman Success Summer Academy serves as a necessary bridge into high school. 

Students enrolling in the program participate in academic courses, participate in the school’s advisory program, and take field trips to enhance team building and the academic program. Breakfast and lunch are provided for free each day. 

Advisory is an integral part of the student’s high school program because it helps students make new friends and form a connection to their new high school. Its mission is to prepare students for life’s transitions, including career development and post-secondary opportunities, through meaningful connections. Students participate in a weekly advisory meeting throughout the summer program.

ENGLISH

Through reading of the text “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens,” by Sean Covey, students discuss and reflect in journal format the ideas and concepts presented. Students practice in active reading strategies that will help them navigate and successfully manage the amount of required reading on the high school level.

SCIENCE

Students participate in hands-on activities to prepare for high school science courses. They practice lab specific math skills, science inquiry, graphing data, collaborative and independent work habits in lab settings, while completing engaging scientific investigations

HIGH SCHOOL 101

Students learn the basics of navigating high school, including reading a transcript, understanding graduation requirements, earning credits in courses, and looking ahead to potential career options. Students also use Naviance/Family Connection to develop an individualized Student Success Plan to identify needs and interests and set future goals.

THE SECRETS OF MY SUCCESS

Students use this course to plan for their Student-Led-Conference (SLC) The format of SLC puts the student at center of the conversation in assessing their success. Students present work samples and identify areas of strengths and those in need of improvement. Parents are invited to participate. Formal invitations will be sent home.

MATH

This course helps students bridge the gap between Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1. Math concepts that are highlighted include computations, problem solving, solving equations, and graphing. Students practice the mathematical skills necessary for success in high school.

S.W.A.G. Skills (Study Everyday, Work Hard, Achieve your Goals, Graduate with Honors)

Featuring the essential learning strategies for becoming a better student, this course helps students learn how to prepare for class, use organizational and time management strategies, and identify effective study skills. 

HISTORY

This course focuses on getting students ready for 9th grade world history. Using academic sources, discussion, and group work, students investigate historical events. Students practice research and presentation skills in preparation for 9th grade research projects.

Several years of successfully running the Freshman Success Summer Academy show marked improvement for our Carver students once they enter into high school!

Summer Campers are Learning!

Carver Campers Learn and Play in the Swimming Pool!

Carver Campers Visit Sheffield Island

Activated in 1868, the Sheffield Island Lighthouse - now listed on the National Register of Historic Places - was in service for 34 years until its retirement in 1902. Today the Norwalk Seaport Association’s volunteers maintain the lighthouse and grounds as a museum and nature preserve.

Carver campers boarded the Seaport ferry at the Sheffield Island dock, adjacent to Stroffolino Bridge, corner of Washington and Water Streets, South Norwalk for their trip to the island. More Carver campers will still make this exciting journey later in the summer. The ferry took our campers back to a time when this and other lighthouses were critical to coastal and oceangoing shipping.

Once on the island, the Carver campers saw the lighthouse up close. The 10-room lighthouse showcases period furniture, and offers a chance to see what life was like for the families of 19th century light keepers.

Another island attraction is the Nature Trail through the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge, which completed by the Seaport Association in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. From a viewing platform, a variety of wildlife including nesting herons and other birds could be observed.

Cool, salt-scented breezes invigorated the campers' senses, as you they journeyed to and from the island. first cruise past its sibling islands. Sheffield is the westernmost outpost, and, at 52 acres, one of the chain's largest islands within the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge. 

Colorful stories of pirates, rumrunners and more local history—including Norwalk's enduring oyster industry—make the excursion fly by! 

Carver Summer Campers Today Inside While Its Raining!

See all the photos here on Facebook!