Students Served
- In 2020, Wayfinders will serve 150 4th – 12th grade, low-income CMS students by providing summer camp experiences, year-round enrichment opportunities, and mentoring relationships for 5 – 8 years.
- Our scholars are approximately 68% African-American, 30% Latino/Hispanic, and 2% Asian, Multi-racial, and White.
- Scholars are selected in the 4th grade through a partnership with Communities In Schools based on demonstrated strong academic effort, leadership potential, and good citizenship.
- Our scholars are great kids — they just lack opportunity. And this is where Wayfinders comes in…
Critical Needs Addressed
- Summer Learning Loss
- Lack of Access to Social Capital
Three Focus Areas Throughout
- Building Individual Social Capital
- Healthy Social and Emotional Development
- College and Career Readiness
Program Model
EXPLORERS (4-6 graders)
Summer Camp Experiences
- 2-3 weeks of overnight camp in the mountains of NC
- Camp partners – Camp Celo, Camp Hanes, Eagle’s Nest, Green River Preserve, Gwynn Valley Camp
Enrichment
- Swim lessons, nature hikes, theater outings, museum visits, community service opportunities, social skills workshops
Mentoring
- Mentors help prepare for camp, drive to/from camp, meet at least once a month for an activity together
ADVENTURERS (7-9 graders)
Summer Camp Experiences
- 1-2 weeks of overnight camp on a college campus for STEM or STEAM camp and overnight outdoor adventure/leadership camps
- Camp Partners – UNC Greensboro’s All-Arts, Sciences & Technology Camp; Red Hat Shelton Challenge leadership camp (NC State and UNC Charlotte); Duke University’s Accelerated STEM Academy; Eagle’s Nest HANTE Appalachian Trail Trek; Green River Preserve Blue Ridge Expedition; Camp Hanes Leaders-in-Training camp
Enrichment
- Computer coding workshops, job-shadowing opportunities, theater outings, museum visits, financial literacy workshops, strengths assessments
Mentoring
- Mentors help prepare for camp, drive to/from camp, meet at least once a month for an activity together, begin discussions about post-secondary interests/plan
NAVIGATORS (10-12 graders)
Summer Camp/Leadership Experiences
- Camp counselor and counselor-in-training (CIT) opportunities
- Overnight camp on a college campus for STEM or leadership camp
- Day camps at Central Piedmont Community College and other area locations
- Job-shadowing opportunities
- Paid and unpaid internships and paid employment
- Summer partners – Camp Celo (CIT), Camp Hanes (CIT), Eagle’s Nest Camp (Jr. Counselor), UNC Greensboro’s All-Arts, Sciences & Technology Camp (CIT); Red Hat Shelton Challenge leadership camp (NC State and UNC Charlotte); Duke Accelerated STEM Academy; Rebuilding Opportunities in Construction (internship); Blythe Development (internship)
Enrichment
- Job-shadowing opportunities, theater outings, museum visits, financial literacy workshops, mindfulness workshops, college and career assessments
Mentoring
- Mentors help prepare for summer experiences, meet at least once a month for an activity together, continue discussions about post-secondary interests/plan, and connect scholars to existing college and career preparatory programs