Student Spotlight: Carla and Rashida

Carla and Rashida

Interviewed by: Hanna Tulchinsky

This is the first of a series of interviews with current students and alumni of Carver’s after school program.

Q: What is the most important lesson that Carver has taught you?

Carla: I would say how to be a leader. Whenever we’re doing something, instead of stepping back and waiting for someone else to lead, I’ve learned to take charge and become a leader myself in order to get things done. When I was younger, I used to let other people do their thing and I would just follow them, but Carver has helped me learn to take charge and step in to help get things done. 

Rashida: The most important lesson I’ve learned is that it’s good to help and to give back. This year I worked on Carver’s annual Thanksgiving food drive. I also helped with Christmas present wrapping for Carver’s annual holiday party for hundreds of kids in the community and it made me feel really good. These opportunities and more helped me realize that I want to help people now and when I’m older, and that helped me realize that I want to be a social worker.

Q: Describe your favorite memory at Carver?

Carla: I would say my favorite memory is my first summer at Carver when I started working here as a counselor during the Carver summer camp. I remember our first field trip was to the Maritime Aquarium and all the kids had a really fun time, so that was definitely one of the highlights of that summer.

Rashida: My favorite memory was when we went on a field trip to an amusement park called “It.” It was really fun. Everyone went and I had a great time.  

Q: Who is your role model?

Carla and Rashida in unison: Erika Stanley (Carver’s Youth Development Program Director)

Carla: I would say “Miss Erika” because we share the same interests–we both want to be our own bosses and we both want to be entrepreneurs. I want to go into mass media, and she helps me find connections the stuff that I’m interested in and ways to use my talents now while I’m in high school so when I get into the real world I’ll have prior experience. She helps me reach the goals that I want to achieve, but she’s also a good person to talk to and to vent to. When I was applying for college earlier this year, at one point I thought to myself, “I’m not going to get into college so what’s the point? I’m not going to do this anymore.” But Miss Erika helped me to believe that I will get into a college and that my hard work will pay off. It’s motivational pep talks like that which have really made a difference for me.

Rashida: Miss Erika is my role model because she always pushes me to do my best and think better of myself. Like Carla, I also thought I wasn’t going to get into college, but Miss Erika has made me believe that I will go to college, even if I don’t get into my top choice.

Q: What are your career goals? 

Carla: I want to work in mass media with a concentration in film and television. I want to be something like a producer or an editor, and I also want to minor in design of media such as websites or background sets. It’s something that I like to do in my free time that I would like to do full-time when I grow up. Whenever I have free time I make a little logos and other drawings, and I have a lot of fun doing that. 

Rashida: I want to be a social worker and maybe work with kids. There’s a social worker here and there’s one at school, and I’d like to do something like that.

Q: Describe an accomplishment you’re proud of?

Carla: One accomplishment I’m proud of is getting the Student of the Year award each year. Carver gives this award to the student in each grade with the highest GPA. I’m also proud of getting into college.

Rashida: I’m proud of finishing my college essay.

Q: How has Carver changed your attitude towards school or the future?

Carla: The college tour showed me how much I wanted to go to college. Over spring break, we get to see two colleges per day every day for six days, and that really got me excited for college.

Rashida: I procrastinate a lot, and Carver has helped me study and get stuff done on time. I’ve learned that even if I don’t have homework it’s good to study. I’ve also learned through my time at Carver that I want to work with kids and I want to give them hope and encourage them.  

Q: What’s your favorite subject?

Carla: My favorite subject is IB (International Baccalaureate) business management. It teaches you how to create a business and what the structure should be and how to keep it going and successful.

Rashida: My favorite subject is English. I like to write.

Q: How would you describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

Carla: This is going to sound corny, but I’d describe it as a family. The people here are people you can rely on, and the staff are people you can talk to and be open with. If you have a problem they’ll ask you what’s wrong instead of just watching you go through it. Even after you graduate, they’ll still call you up and ask you if you’re doing okay at college.

Rashida: You’re right, it is a family. Everyone looks after each other here.

Staff Spotlight: Waid Ramsubhag - CASPER Program Manager

Q: What’s your favorite memory at Carver?

A: When I was running the high school program, the college tour was my favorite part. That was when I truly connected with the kids. When I first came to Carver, I was worried that some of the kids didn’t trust me. But when we went on the college tour, we really became connected and they started telling me what they wanted to do once they got out of high school and what type of careers they wanted to get into. It was a lot of fun and we really became friends.

Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?

A: My favorite part of my job is when parents and kids are happy with the progress in school. I love seeing how happy the parents are when their kids are doing better in school. I have some kids who make significant jumps in their reading, and as a result their parents are less stressed. When you see a kid who’s finally picking up on things a bit, and you see how confident they are, it’s a great feeling.

Q: How have the kids at Carver impacted you?

A: One thing I’ve learned with these kids here is they keep you up to speed with pop culture. You learn what’s in style with the youth. Something that’s cool about this job is that I get a chance to see what kids are talking about– what type of clothing they’re wearing, what type of haircuts they like, or what phrases they use. I get a chance to keep up with what’s going on in young people’s lives in kindergarten all the way up to high school. I learn all of these things by interacting with them, and it’s amazing.

Q: How would you describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

A: I always like to talk about Motown Records- this small building in Detroit where artists would go and interact with all these different writers, producers, and actors, and as a result they would emerge as a great artist. They brought out Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye. Carver is kind of like Motown-- kids are coming here, they’re working with teachers, the program managers, and volunteers, and as a result, once they graduate high school, they have this great sense of where they want to go and what they want to do.

Q: If Carver kids were to take away one thing from their time here, what would you want it to be?

A: Confidence. Knowing that people care. If you have a group of people in a place that you know care for you, it gives you confidence. I get kids all the time who ask me for college recommendations because they know that they have someone here who aims to help them. It’s a great feeling for these kids to know that they have somewhere to come back to if they need anything once they go out into the world with lots of unknowns. Carver is an amazing home for kids to have away from their actual home.

Q: What are some of the extra-curricular activities for the CASPER kids?

A: One of my favorite activities, and the kids’ favorite activities, is going to see the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra. The kids get the chance to see professional musician and learn about different types of instruments, and if they’re really interested, the kids can go to a real concert with their parents at city hall. And that right there is a nice exposure to music at a young age and it helps motivate kids to learn new instruments or to practice more if they already play.

VIDEO: Carver Students Share What They're Thankful for This Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect and express gratitude for the blessings that we may otherwise overlook in our everyday lives. At The Carver Foundation of Norwalk, we are extremely grateful for all of the supporters, donors, volunteers, students, parents, teachers, staff members, and everyone else who plays a role in helping to build lifetime achievers.

In the spirit of giving thanks, here is a video of a few Carver students sharing what they’re thankful for. Check it out and see what they have to say!

Thank you to everyone playing a part in helping Carver students succeed in school and in life!

Here's a short video of Carver students sharing what they're thankful for. - Created by Hanna Tulchinsky

Meet Gabriella, age 8, the gymnast!

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver was when we went to the Wilton Y to swim for the first time. I made new friends there. I got to hang out with my three best friends.  

I had never been to a pool at camp before, so it was really fun.  

We did free practice in the water but we also got tested to see what our levels were. I think all of the kids 7-9 did really well. Even though some of the girls thought they didn't do well, I thought that everyone tried really hard. I liked swimming a lot. I've been in other swimming pools before, but this was my first time going on a field trip at camp to a swimming pool."

Who is your role model?

"My dad is my role model. Whenever I can't do something, my dad tells me to keep practicing and to try my hardest. He encourages me to do better and when I have problems, he always gives me advice. He always faces his problems and he doesn't let fear get in the way. Another role model is a gymnast in the US olympic team named Gabby. She teaches me to work hard."

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to go to the olympics and be on the USA gymnastics team. I started doing gymnastics when I was 5 and that became my passion. I like gymnastics because you get to be more flexible. Also, most gyms give out medals when people accomplish something. I have two medals. One of them was from 2017, and one is from 2018. My friends Laura, Daniella, and Aniya help me practice gymnastics at Carver."

What is your biggest dream? 

"I want to be famous for being a flexible gymnast."

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

"I'm proud of being independent when I was with my uncle in Maryland and I was far away from my parents for a week. I learned to be fearless, even without my parents' help."

Describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is.

“Carver is a really fun summer camp. It's the best summer camp you could go to. There are awesome field trips, and you get to make lots of new friends. If you come to Carver, you'll learn to work more. Carver also helps you with your summer reading.”

Jaylah, age 11: “Carver is fun, creative, and inspiring. At Carver, you can be you.”

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver was going to Lake Compounce. We went on all the rides which was super fun. I like going on rides a lot. We also went swimming, and we ate a bunch of different foods.”

Who is your role model?

"I have a lot of role models– my mom, my grandma, and this Youtuber named Queen Naija. My mom is my role model because she does a lot, and she teaches me how to be a better person. My grandma is my role model because she tells me what to do and what not to do. Queen Naija is my role model because she's really funny, and she is true to herself so she teaches me how to be myself. "

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I don't know. I could see myself being an olympic swimmer. I'm not swimming much right now, but I'm getting back into it. I love when we go swimming on Fridays at Carver. When we go to the Y, we get lessons which helps a lot."

What is your biggest dream?

"To go skydiving. I'm a daring person, and that would be really fun to do with my mom. She said she would do it with me."

What is something that you're passionate about?

"I like to dance. And I love cheerleading. I also really like gymnastics."

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

"I'm proud of getting honors all four quarters this past school year. At my previous school, I was struggling a lot, but then I got better at my new school. My new school had different resources which helped me, but also I came here after school. I was struggling with math, and Carver provided tutoring for me."

Describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is.

“Carver is fun, creative, and inspiring. At Carver, you can be you.”

Allen, age 10, learned how to play basketball this summer and wants to be a chef!

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver was the last day of camp last year when we had a barbecue. We had chips, burgers, and hot dogs. All the kids came outside so it was really fun. Everyone was talking to each other. It was bittersweet, because I was sad that I wasn't going to see my friends for a year, but we were all excited to have adventures and tell each other about them when we come back the next summer.”

Who is your role model?

"My role model is Dr. Martin Luther King because he allowed everybody to come together. If he would have just sat down and watched all of the violence going on, all of us wouldn't be where we are today. "

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“My number one dream is to be a chef. My grandma and my mom really got me into cooking. I made seafood with my mom, and my grandma taught me how to make macaroni and cheese. I've never cooked by myself before though, because my mom thinks I might set the place on fire."

How do you think Carver could help you become a chef?

"The staff here are really encouraging. And you also make really good friends here, who will also encourage you."

What is something that you're passionate about?

"I also like drawing, especially with my friends. I love drawing Pokémon and people sometimes. Most of the time, I draw in my free time at Carver. "

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

"I'm proud of when I made my first basketball shot. My friends were pushing me to make a shot because I wasn't really a sports kid. I used to stay home and watch TV and play video games. My friends told me to shoot and I did, and I missed a couple of them. But then I shot and I actually made it and I was really happy. I like basketball a lot now. "

Describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is.

“Carver is fun. You go on a lot of trips and you make a lot of new friends.”

Andi, age 11, excels at math!

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver was when we went to Lake Compounce. We got to go on rides and then the water park. My favorite ride was a scary roller coaster. It was my first roller coaster, but I wasn't scared.”

Who is your role model?

"My role model is Gem. He's the best counselor at Carver. When we get free time, he always talks to us. Whenever there are problems, he stays chill. I also like watching soccer games with him. "

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a soccer player. I play soccer at Carver sometimes when we have free time."

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

"I'm proud of never getting an F in school. My favorite subject in school is math because it's the easiest for me and I do the best in math."

Describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is.

"At Carver, all of the campers learn and have fun. You learn reading and math, but you also have fun playing outside here."

Aiden, age 11, has a dream to score the final goal in the World Cup!

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver was when we went to the movie theater to watch The Incredibles 2. I love that movie. It was really great."

Who is your role model?

"My role model is my mom because she's always there for me and she takes care of me. She really loves me."

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a professional soccer player. I play soccer almost every day at Carver. I wanted Colombia to win the World Cup. We have a lot of time to practice soccer skills and drills at Carver. You can just practice by yourself if you want."

What is your biggest dream?

"To score the last goal in the World Cup."

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

"I used to go to Achieve before this, which is another camp. At Achieve, I won the 'Most Athletic' award, which I'm really proud of."

Describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is.

"Carver is really fun. You meet a lot of new people and the counselors are really great. Andi and Gem are my favorite counselors. They're funny and they treat you well. You'll have a great time here."

TJ, age 10, is proud to have successfully graduated 5th grade!

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver was when we had a pizza party last year. It was really fun because we got to have pizza and we got to play basketball.”

Who is your role model?

"My mom is my role model. My mom teaches me how to clean. She really cares about me and she helps me with a lot of things."

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be an actor when I grow up. I've done some acting before. I was in a play in preschool, but I forget what it was called. I've done some acting since then at home. Not exactly acting, but we make funny voices and act like different people."

What is your biggest dream? 

"To meet someone very famous. I would meet Tyler 'Ninja' Blevins, a famous Fortnite player."

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

"I'm proud of graduating fifth grade. I graduated last month. It was really fun because we had a party afterwards, and I got a $25 gift card. I'm really excited for middle school."

Describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is.

“Carver is a camp where kids have fun and play. We eat lunch and we go on fun field trips.”

Leandro, age 9, makes his dad proud!

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver was my first day here. It was fun because I got to meet new kids and play a lot of basketball and soccer. I made a lot of new friends. I felt happy because I didn't feel lonely. And when I got home, I told my dad about my day. It was fun to tell him everything I did because he was happy that I did so many things."

Who is your role model?

"My role model is Jaden because he's a good basketball player and I want to be a good basketball player. Also, he's my best friend. He makes me laugh."

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I wanted to be a policeman, but I changed my mind because during their training, they have to be sprayed with pepper spray, and I don't know if I could stand that. So maybe instead, I'll be like my dad and work in a restaurant– an American Italian restaurant. We would make hot dogs because people love hot dogs. I've never cooked before, so I would be the boss in the restaurant. If someone doesn't know what to do, I'll help them and tell them what to do. I would help everybody and I would tell them to do the right thing."

What is your biggest dream? 

"I want to go to Costa Rica. I've never been there, and I want to see my family that lives there because I've never seen them."

What would you want to do in Costa Rica?

"Once I get there, I would give a huge hug to everyone in my family that lives there. And maybe my cousins who live there could teach me to play basketball."

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

"In my school, I took an NWEA test, and I got a 217! You do math, reading, and science on this test, and 217 is a really good grade. If you get a 195 or below, you have to go to summer school."

Describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is.

“Carver is somewhere you can do exercise and meet new friends. Also, you get to learn a lot of things. Sometimes you do science, math, or reading. My favorite thing to do here is play dodgeball. I guarantee that everybody would like Carver if they came.”

Kylie, 5 years old, loves to play tag in the rain!

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver is playing with my friends. I like playing tag outside. Especially in the rain.”

Who is your role model?

"My role model is my sister, Bailey. She looks so pretty every time I see her. And I like when we play Uno and other card games together. And I like going to the arcade with her and doing karate with her. She's so nice."

What is your biggest dream?

"To go on a field trip for two days to the arcade. I would play all of the games."

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

"I'm proud of being good at a family party at Grandma Jan's. There were a lot of kids there, and we all acted so good. I even got a cut on my foot, but I was still good. The cut is still on my foot!"

Describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is.

“Carver is a camp where we have fun. It's fun because you play in the gym and there are a lot of kids here. And me and my sister Bailey get to see each other sometimes.”

Read how Eliana, age 8, learned to ride a bike!

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver is when we went to Monster Minigolf. We played minigolf and after, we went to the arcade and played games. I played a candy game, a game where you had to knock down clowns, and one where you had to throw a ball. It was fun because we got these cards that we could use to play any game we want instead of having to buy tickets.”

Who is your role model?

"My role model is Ms. Renee. She's really nice. She knows how to solve problems, and not make problems grow."

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a teacher. I want to help kids learn."

What is your biggest dream?

"To be famous for dancing. Actually, there's something I want to do even more than that– I also want to be on the show called "Double Dare" on Nickelodeon."

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

"I'm proud of learning to ride a bike. Once upon a time, me and my cousin, Xavier, were playing outside. We decided to take off my training wheels and practice riding on the grass, and after that we started doing it on the sidewalk and then it worked! I learned how to ride a bike in one day."

Describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is.

“Carver is the funnest summer camp I've ever been to."

Inari, age 8: “I want to be a teacher, cop, firefighter, a doctor, a police officer, a taxi driver, and an uber driver. Each of them on different days of the week.”

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver was swimming. It was so fun because I love swimming.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a teacher, cop, firefighter, a doctor, a police officer, a taxi driver, and an uber driver. Each of them on different days of the week.”

What is your biggest dream?

"To be a super hero. I want to have x-ray vision."

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

"I'm proud of becoming a better reader. I got better at reading by practicing at school."

Describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is.

"It's fun. It's a big building that we have a lot of fun in."

Schyler, age 8, wants to be a police officer and a famous artist!

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver was playing with my friends. We were playing tag. We ran and ran and had lots of fun.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a police officer and an artist. I like saving people. It sounds fun. And putting the bad guys in jail. And for the artist part, I just want to be famous, because all the artists I know are famous."

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

"I did something really cool– one time, on the playground, I did a flip! I did it on the slide, and I landed it."

Describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is.

“Carver is fun and creative.”

London, age 12: read about her dreams to be professional dancer and open her own studio, and also to start her own Carver camp!

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver is when we go to Lake Compounce. We go on multiple rides, we go swimming, we hang out with our friends, and we get so much to eat. We go on rides that twist you around and rides that go up and down. I love rollercoasters. I don't get scared, but I scream a lot."

Who is your role model?

"My role models are my counselors Ari and Ciara. They teach me so many different things and they're fun. Today, Ciara was helping me in math and Ari helps me sometimes to. I also like dancing with them, and Ciara and I joke around a lot."

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a professional dancer and run my own dance studio. I realized I wanted to be a professional dancer when I was 5. I love to dance. If we keep on doing parents night here, and my counselors keep helping me with my dancing, I think Carver could help me become a professional dancer."

What is your biggest dream?

"I want to open up another Carver camp. It helps kids make new friends. Most summer camps don't teach you during the summer, but this one does, and I think that's really important. My camp would have lots of field trips like we do at Carver."

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

"I'm proud of passing my test, which meant that I didn't have to go to summer school. I felt nervous while I was taking the test, but I knew that I could do it. I had faith in myself. When I found out I passed the test, I felt really excited. I needed to get a score of 204 on my math test, but I even got a 214!"

Describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is.

“Carver is a fun, educational summer camp that will help you develop new skills. It helps you meet new friends, and you have a lot of fun instead of just staying at home. Also, we're not supposed to have phones here, which is good because when we grow up our eyes won't be bad since we don't have too much screen time.”

Learn how Juliana loves math games!

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver was making lots of new friends and meeting all of the teachers. I also love when we get to go on the computers and sit wherever we want. My favorite thing to do on the computer here is go on Prodigy, a math program. I even play math games on the computer at home, too.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a teacher. This year, I was in third grade, and my teacher was really nice. She encouraged me to be a teacher when I grow up. I also like the teachers at Carver a lot. They're really sweet."

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

"Something I'm proud of is that I pay attention a lot in school. During class, I always listen to what the teacher says."

Describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is.

“If someone didn't know what Carver was, I would tell them that they should come here because you go on a bunch of fun field trips and the teachers are really nice. And you can meet a lot of new friends. Also, we do a bunch of activities here. We play in the gym, we eat lunch, we go to the computer lab, and we play outside. It's really fun.”

Umary, aged 9: read how she loves homework during the school year and Carver during the summer!

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver is when we went to Lake Compounce. Another one of my favorite memories is meeting my friends on the first day. I had so much fun with my new friends. It made me feel free."

Who is your role model?

"My role model is my cousin. My cousin is always with me and when there's a problem, she always helps me feel better. She basically takes care of me. She's 9. My favorite memory with my cousin is when we made up a game in the pool. We played that game every time we went in the pool in the summer, and we still play it now."

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a doctor because doctors help you feel better when you're hurt or when you have allergies. They give you medicine. I think I would be a good doctor because I really like helping people. I help people with their work and when people are hurt, I always help them. I realized I wanted to be a doctor when the doctor really helped me. The doctor gave me medicine once, and the first day I drank it, I felt much better. Last year I got really hurt because I bumped into somebody. The nurse at Carver gave me a special ice pack that made me feel a lot better. She taught me a lot of new things about medicine."

What is your biggest dream?

"To save people. When they're hurt, I want to do something to help them."

What is your favorite thing to do?

"Something that I love doing is my homework. My homework helps me learn more about what I'm doing at school. A lot of people hate homework, but I think it's really fun. And if you do your homework during the year, instead of going to summer school, you can go to a fun place like Carver."

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

"Something I did that I'm proud of is finishing fourth grade. The last day of school was really fun. Well, it actually wasn't that fun because I had to leave my teacher behind. And also, I'm about to go to a new school so I'm sad that I won't be able to see my teachers again."

Describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is.

“I would describe Carver as a fun place to go when you're bored at home. Instead of being bored during the summer, you can come here. Carver is really fun because you get to make new friends and you go on a lot of field trips. Every week you go on at least two field trips. You go bowling, you go to Pump It Up, you also go to Skyzone, and at the end of the year you go to Lake Compounce. You go to a lot of fun places."

Jaydon, 8 years old: read about his abilities in soccer and basketball!

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver is meeting other people and making new friends. And getting to know my counselors and the teachers. Another thing I like about Carver is that we get to learn on the computer. ”

Who is your role model?

"My role model is my brother because he's funny and he makes me laugh. We watch TV together. He's one year old. When it's August, he's going to be two. I like being a big brother because I get to take care of my little brother."

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a player in the NBA because I play basketball. I want to be a soccer player too. I play basketball at Carver and I play soccer at a field on a team. I have a red jersey and a black jersey. I have a coach that works here at Carver for basketball, and she helps it. When I make the shot, she's my rebounder. And when I miss a shot, she makes me restart.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

"I'm proud of doing really well in basketball. I pretty much know everything about soccer, but I wanted to learn more about basketball, and I'm happy with how that went."

Describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is.

“If someone didn't know what Carver was, I would let them ride in a car with me so I could bring them here and show them what it's like.”

Emily, 9 years old: read about her experiences and dreams this summer

Describe your favorite memory at Carver.

“My favorite memory at Carver is when we went to Monster Minigolf because we got this card and we could use that card to play any game we wanted.”

Who is your role model?

"My role model is my cousin. Every time that we come to Carver, her mom has to stay at work late, and we're always happy here. We always pray that she can come to my house after Carver."

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“I want to be a scientist. I want to make a little potion with some chemicals, and I want to see if I can make a new drink that people can enjoy. I realized I wanted to be a scientist in first grade when we made slime out of glue and shaving cream. Hopefully we will make slime at Carver."

What is your biggest dream?

"To have the biggest house in the whole wide world. I would play hide and seek in it but I wouldn't be able to find anyone because it would be so big."

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of.

"I'm proud of actually learning to ride a bike. At first, my cousin and my dad, they helped me take off my training wheels. Then my cousin, his name is Ernesto, helped me learn on the grass, and then he let me go on the street. I felt like a professional bike-rider."

Describe Carver to someone who doesn’t know what it is.

“Carver is really fun because we go on field trips. You do a lot of science here too. It's awesome! If any other children come to Carver, you'll be lucky, because this whole summer camp is going to be really fun.”

Laura, age 9: read about how she is getting to like math

Describe your favorite memory at Carver

“My favorite memory at Carver is when we go on trips because I always have fun. My favorite trip was going to Skyzone because we got to jump a lot. We also got to eat food and drink. I was really happy and excited.”

Who is your role model?

“My best friend, Daniella. She always does the right thing. We always sit next to each other at camp and we play together outside on the playground. I look up to her. She’s really nice.”

What do you want to be when you grow up?

“An olympic gymnast. I’m really good at gymnastics, and I can tumble. In free time or when we go outside at Carver, I practice gymnastics.”

What is your biggest dream?

“Being able to be invisible.”

What about something that could actually happen?

“To be able to live in a mansion.”

Describe an accomplishment that you’re proud of

“Getting better at math. In the lab at Carver, we always go on math websites and we always have to practice math. I don’t really like doing math, but Carver helped me like it a little more.”