JNA, ACSGW Lunch & Learn Camp for Takoma Park Youth Sees Overflow Response

JNA, ACSGW Lunch & Learn Camp for Takoma Park Youth Sees Overflow Response
Story by Alicia Tucker

The John Nevins Andrews School Lunch & Learn free summer camp for youth aged 7-18 opened last week in Takoma Park at the John Nevins Andrews School (JNA). Adventist Community Services of Greater Washington (ACSGW) in Silver Spring, Md., is a co-sponsor for the camp, which is offering math, English, computer skills training and swimming.

While 90 kids originally registered, nearly 110 showed up to participate. The effort is in partnership with the City of Takoma Park, Montgomery County government and the MAN-UP organization and is intended to help families address kids' needs during the summer months. The camp provides fun, constructive educational activities as well as recreation, including an opportunity to enjoy swimming sessions at the Piney Branch Elementary School, where ACSGW manages the pool.

“It will be a relief for parents of the kids not to have to worry about summer daycare, not to mention hungry kids,” comments Ken Flemmer, ACSGW director. “The group includes two kids from homeless shelters. About 20 of our staff and volunteers will be assisting with the camp.”

Pat Tyser, ACSGW’s administrative officer and a key player in organizing this year’s program, adds, “This is the first summer camp ACSGW has sponsored for youth in Maryland. It’s also the largest training program for youth we have been involved with. The kids are mostly from the heart of Takoma Park and will be shuttled to the camp by bus from several pickup points and given breakfast, a snack and lunch provided by the Montgomery County Summer School Lunch program.” She continues, “They will spend time with subject matter based on the STEM curriculum, an international education model that engages students in critical thinking and problem solving. The computer skills training being offered, as well as the math and English, will help the kids go on to achieve school success in the public school system in the fall.”

Lunch & Learn is an expansion of a project started by Jackie Frazier in her Takoma Park apartment three years ago to continue providing free meals to kids during the summer past the end of the school year. Jarrett Smith, a councilmember for the City of Takoma Park, was instrumental in launching Lunch & Learn this year, as well as Josh Pierre, chairman of the JNA board, and Cavel Melbourne, outgoing JNA principal.

The camp runs through August 2. To participate, support or learn more about the camp, visit acsgw.org.