The need for help in meeting the educational goals for children has never been more apparent. New mantras are emerging for taking this opportunity to rebuild our educational system to meet the needs of the whole child:  Outside the Classroom — Broader, Bolder, Smarter.

It will take work and new partnerships to achieve these goals. The American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER) III has eight billion dollars at the state level and $22 billion at the school district level to include out-of-school time partnerships. Camps can be powerful community partners in the education of our children. Camp is part of that community and offers specific and vital resources.

Camps can be powerful community partners in the education of our children. A camp/school partnership can be exciting, innovative, and satisfying, but they also take insight, creativity, and perseverance. A careful exploration of the questions below will help consider if a camp-school partnership is right for you.

  • What do you have to offer?
  • Why are you considering this?
  • Is it consistent with your mission?
  • How will this impact your other programs?
  • How well do you know your potential partners?
  • How well do you know yourself?
  • Do you have the capacity to form a successful partnership?

Background of Current Funding and Purpose from Federal to State to Local Levels

Federal funds have been allocated by the US Department of Education to states according to plans submitted to the Department.

States submitted their ARP ESSER III state plans by June 7, 2021. The US DOE began to approve applications and disburse the remaining ARP ESSER III funds at that time. Support covers summer 2021, 2022, and 2023. The notice is available here.

The ARP ESSER Fund includes three state-level reservations for activities and interventions that respond to student academic, social, and emotional needs and address the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on underrepresented student subgroups, including each major racial and ethnic group, children from low-income families, children with disabilities, English learners, gender, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children and youth in foster care.

Here are some helpful resources:

Download the Tool Kit