IndiaParentMagazine

CDM Summer Day Camp SOS

Children's Discovery Museum offers a nationally-recognized Summer Day Camp SOS for youth entering Grades 7-10

Each year families are challenged to find activities to engage youth in for the summer. Responding to the needs of young teens, Summer of Service (SOS) at Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose is a unique and innovative summer program where youth entering 7th through 10th grade in the fall of 2016 can have fun, make friends, meet new challenges, and make a difference in the community.

Studies show that students who participate in servicelearning programs do better in school, are more likely to graduate high school and go to college, and are more likely to become active, engaged citizens.

Participants of SOS can serve on one of five teams, each with its own unique theme of service. Themes include environment, early childhood education, museum and media, outreach and leadership. Youth in SOS perform projects while learning about their environment; serve as role models while assisting at a local preschool; work with families at the Museum while building digital media skills through photography and film production; work in shelters and senior centers, and build leadership skills while planning and facilitating programming for SOS. Youth are given the opportunity to give back to the community while they build leadership and teamwork skills that they will use for the rest of their lives. In addition, youth learn to value their community and to see themselves as a vital asset to it.

A parent recently wrote about her experience with Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose and the SOS program:

"SOS is a wonderful idea. This is my daughter's second year. The benefits of my daughter's involvement in SOS is being with kids her age, working together to improve and give back to the community. It gives her an idea of what's out there while under supervision. And, she's seeing what the community is like on her own terms without the input of her parents. In addition, she's getting community service credit."

SOS is an ongoing part of many young lives. Service in the community has a deep impact on participants, who express the desire to continue working to benefit their community. Many SOS graduates have developed an enduring bond with the Museum, and continue as volunteers, SOS staff, and Museum staff.

Participants also have the opportunity to build friendships and have fun as they start each morning with active group games, and travel to a different Bay Area field-trip destination each session, as a reward for all their hard work.

SESSIONS OFFERED FOR 2018

  • Session 1: June 25 - June 29
  • Session 2: July 2 - July 4 (with programming on July 4)
  • Session 3: July 9 - July 13
  • Session 4: July 16 - July 20
  • Session 5: July 23 - July 27
  • Session 6: July 30 - August 3

Register your child today for a Summer of Service with memories that will last a lifetime.

For more information or to register go online at www.cdm.org/sos or contact the Youth Programs Educator at sos@cdm.org or call 408-673-2833.