Beginning Tuesday, June 1 at 11 AM, Seminole Public Schools expect to see over 400 kids from local areas arrive at the football field to kickoff the start of their Camp I Can summer program.

The camp, which will include preschoolers, high school seniors, and every age in between, will be offered in lieu of the traditional summer school programs hosted by the school in order to allow for the kids to a have a more continual, intensive learning experience while also having a whole lot of fun.

The creation of Camp I Can, like many things in the past year, was in response to circumstances derived from the COVID-19 pandemic. Though life changed for everyone at the beginning of 2020, teachers and administrators were impacted particularly hard as they were forced to pivot from their usual methods and embrace the new world of distance learning.

An unfortunate result of this turnaround was a certain level of learning loss amongst many students which, according to Assistant Superintendent Angela Willmett, inspired teachers and administrators at the school to really evaluate what would most help the students move forward into the 2022-2023 year in the best shape possible.

After coming to the conclusion that a more continual learning experience would be required, they decided a more engaging alternative to the traditional summer school might be the best option to get the students excited to participate, as Mrs. Willmett affirmed, “There’s no way a kid can be happy about summer school unless it is really fun.” Thus, Camp I Can was born as a means to provide an intense, skill based learning experience created around the specific level of understanding each child enters with, that is also balanced with fun, summertime activities. “Kids aren’t behind, there was just learning that wasn’t finished,” said Willmett. “We are just closing the gap.”

The camp will take place for three weeks in June and three weeks in July, from 10:30 AM to 2 PM. Lunch and transportation will be provided to all students involved and participation is not limited to those enrolled in Seminole Public Schools alone.

Preschool through first grade will report to Betty L. Smith Early Childhood Center, second though fourth to Wilson Elementary, and fifth through eighth to Northwood. Though many are working as interns for the camp, high school students who participate will be staying at the high school building doing credit recovery. Masks and social distancing will be required as needed.

As for the kickoff on June 1, attendees will be treated to a huge, fake campfire designed by Seminole Schools’ art director Jacqueline Sinor. S’mores, snow cones, and hot dogs will be provided and depending on how well behaved students decide to be during the last few weeks of class, a few principals may even be dunked during the event. “It’s just gonna be a big party,” assured Willmett.

The actual camp will begin the next day, on Wednesday, June 2. If interested in registering, one can visit the school website at www.sps.k12.ok.us to sign up.