(Originally Published in the Collinwood Observer)
The Dream On Foundation adopted a first grade classroom at Hannah Gibbons- Nottingham School in 2008. The foundation promises these 25 kids that, if they graduate high school on time (2020), the foundation will grant scholarships for post secondary education that leads to employment. Until then, the foundation helps the Dream On Kids succeed in school by offering them opportunities and supports such as tutoring, after school programming, summer camp, support to parents and other activities. This summer they attended camp right here in the Collinwood neighborhood.
In the morning for four weeks they attended Arts Collinwood Summer Camp directed by Sarah Gyorki. Chris Luciani from Cleveland Recreation taught the art of acting through fun games and led them in writing, producing and presenting a play the last day of camp. The children created all the costumes, sets and props. Parents and others from the Collinwood area enjoyed “The Adventures of Hoop Wimple and the Holy Grail” at the theater in Euclid Beach Park.
The fifth week in the morning the kids attended the SEMAA (Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy) at Tri-C. SEMMA is a NASA sponsored program filled with fun, hands‐on scientific experiences. In the afternoon for all five weeks, the kid’s home base was Helping Hands Day Care Center directed by Laura Robinson. From there, the kids explored the neighborhood on foot, going to the Neff Road and Grovewood Swimming Pools, Wildwood State Park, the Memorial Nottingham Library (for a summer reading program, storyteller Susan Weber, Jungle Terry and a program about Kenya) and Euclid Beach Park. Once every week the kids ate snack at a neighborhood establishment, including Gus’s Diner, Sandy’s and Mickey’s Soft Serve, Chili Peppers Mexican and Scottie’s Italian Restaurants, and Buettner’s Bakery.
The Dream On Kids made several new friends and learned many things while having lots of fun!
