Summer of Service

Children’s Discovery Museum offers a nationally-recognized Summer Day Camp for youth entering grades 7–10. Children’s Discovery Museum (CDM) offers a unique and innovative summer program where youth can have fun, make new friends, meet new challenges, and make a difference in the community. Summer of Service (SOS) responds to the needs of young teens too old for the traditional day camp, but too young for full-time employment. SOS has been changing lives for twelve years, and is a recipient of the prestigious Promising Practices Award as an outstanding opportunity for youth. The program offers a variety of opportunities addressing different interests. Participants attend one- or more two-week sessions serving on the team of their choosing. For example, Purple Team members prepare and facilitate activities for Museum visitors, and contribute to an SOS ‘zine and documentary video in the Orange Team participants help out at local preschools – reading, playing games, and leading activities. Green Team members become Environmental Guardians by conducting water quality tests and cleaning the river, planting trees, and helping in CDM’s Kids’ Garden. The Striped Team is comprised exclusively of youth entering 10th grade. Striped Team members take on more in-depth service projects – designing and leading activities for younger SOS participants. Many entering 10th graders take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the Striped Team to get a head start on their high school community service requirements.