REPORT CARD 2013H A R T F O R D , C T

Changing the World…One Child at a Time

Student Profile ............................3

Program Overviews ............... 4-6

Mentors & Staff ..........................7

Dream Camp Graduates ........8

The Road Ahead ................. 9-10

Dream Camp’s Reach ...........11

Table of Contents

The mission of the ESF Dream Camp Foundation (Dream Camp)

is to transform the lives of low-income, urban youth through inno-

vative yearlong educational programs that nurture the individual,

educate the mind, and inspire the spirit. In partnership with families

and schools, Dream Camp develops young leaders who embrace

challenges, seize opportunities and overcome obstacles, and are

inspired to live their dreams.

The Trinity Dream Camp was started in 1998 on the campus of

Trinity College in Hartford, CT. In the past 16 years, Dream Camp

has provided more than 2,750 Dream Camp Scholarships to under-

served children to attend the after-school, summer, and mentoring

programs in Hartford. Through the generosity of one major donor

and several other individuals, companies, foundations and grants,

all tuition, fees, transportation and supplies are provided for Dream

Camp students free of charge.

Student lives are changed and measurable results are achieved

through four core Dream Camp programs. The After-School Acad-

emy, Summer Camp Program and Dream Camp’s Young Leaders

Program and Mentors in Training Program have made a profound

difference in the lives children and their families from Hartford.

Educational success is the primary focus, however, a holistic

approach is taken to develop the comprehensive Dream Camp

curriculum in order to ensure academic achievement as well as

character development and physical health.

Dear Friends,

It is often said that to state your case, to convince others of the value

you bring to your cause, that you must have the numbers, the measure-

able results that demonstrate that you are on the road to success. And

while I agree with that in theory, there is another part of me that suggests

numbers do not tell the whole story.

As you read the following pages, you will see that the statistics

and the measurable results we have achieved are awe inspiring. They

validate for all of us that we are making a difference, that for the past

16 years we have provided underserved children from Hartford with an

opportunity to improve their educational outcomes.

If you have had the opportunity to visit Dream Camp, you under-

stand that the moment you arrive on the campus of Trinity College what-

ever impressive statistics you know about Dream Camp simply take a

back seat to the personalities of our students, mentors and staff. From

the outset, Dream Camp’s mission has been clear - to nurture, educate

and inspire our Dream Camp students. Our dedicated staff is instrumen-

tal in creating a safe environment where our children can overcome

hurdles and learn to succeed.

Students that I first met 16 years ago, their very first year of Dream

Camp, have now graduated from college. I know the obstacles they

have overcome to get to this point. The desire and spirit to be the best

we can be lives in each one of us. Dream Camp exists to cultivate that

spirit, to inspire our students, and to encourage them to become the

best they can be.

How would I state our case? Dream Camp is making a difference

each and every day. I hear the inquisitive questions our students ask in

their quest for knowledge. I see the determination on their faces as they

find solutions to math problems. I witness their realization that college is

an achievable goal.

I invite you to visit Dream Camp, to meet our students and staff. I am

confident that the memories you take away will stay with you. And there

is simply no way to measure that.

Sincerely,

Michael J. Rouse

Dream Camp Co-Founder

HOwEll MCFARlAnE was one of the original campers at Dream

Camp at Trinity College, starting as a 6 year-old in 1998. Over the

next 10 years he returned as a camper always stating that one day

he would be a student at Trinity College and follow his dream of

becoming a teacher. He participated in the Mentor-in-Training

program, a leadership development program for teens, and later

joined the Young Leaders Program, a job development program

and a means for Dream Camp to acknowledge its high-achiev-

ing camp alumni by hiring them as junior counselors. Working as

a camp counselor, Howell’s patience, care and leadership had a

tremendous impact on one young camper with special needs, he

was able to complete the summer session, something which had

not been possible the previous year. Howell’s attributes made him

a very popular counselor and most deserving of the Ichiban Award.

Howell’s arrival at Trinity as a student was initially delayed. One

of the more rigorous academic schools in the country, he initially

was denied admission at Trinity and started his academic career

at Lincoln College. Not one to easily give up, Howell worked hard

at Lincoln, applied and was able to join the Class of 2015 at Trinity

College. He is also a proud member of the Trinity Men’s Basketball

Team. Howell McFarlane is truly living his dream!

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Student Profile

HOWELL MCFARLANE,

DREAM CAMP’S ICHIBAN

AWARD RECIPIENT FOR

EMPLOYEE ExCELLENCE

RETuRNS TO TRINITY

AS STuDENT

127 STuDEnTS SERvED

100% OF gRADuATing

SEniORS will ATTEnD COllEgE

Redesigned Curriculum – Knowing that our program has a great

deal of potential working with our students during the school year,

our after-school curriculum was restructured. More academics were

brought into the program by way of science experiments, spelling

bees for each grade, as well as social studies activities that chal-

lenged students to name all 50 states and capitals. Activities were

designed specifically for each age group, so mentors were able to

jump right in with the lesson for the day.

volunteers from Trinity College – The Trinity College student

mentors volunteered consistently in the After-School Academy and

showed their continuing commitment to the Dream Camp students

and the program.

If you were to spend an afternoon at our After-School Academy,

you would see our students engaged in a variety of academic and

enrichment activities including:

• Reading Workshops (both group and one on one)

• Math reinforcement activities

• Chess

• Team Building Activities

• Arts & Crafts

• Students were asked to reflect on their own life experiences and

write lyrics. In Hip-Hop genre, two students performed their mate-

rial in front of their peers.

• Students were asked to complete a science experiment and pro-

duce a Science Fair at the end of the semester.

After- School Academy

MEASuRAblE OuTCOMES

4

Summer Program

250 STuDEnTS SERvED

94% ATTEnDAnCE RATE

MEASuRAblE OuTCOMES

Once again, Dream Camp provided a summer experience unlike any other for 250 students between the ages of 6 -16. Children participat-ed in sports, arts & crafts, creative & performing arts, as well as science and reading programs. Meeting new friends, trying new adventures and challenging themselves academically will be some of the memories our students will have. And when schools opened in the fall, they walked into their classroom more confident and excited for the school year.

Food Program – As our 2nd summer of the Eatiquette program be-gan, it was obvious the Vetri Foundation for Children was ready for an-other successful summer. Our table captains donned their chef jackets and set the tables like professionals. Each day the cafeteria was alive with chatter as students discussed the topic of the day. Students were challenged to try new foods such as fish tacos, BBQ brisket, and fruit seed salad.

Zumba – For a second year in a row, Zumba was incorporated into the summer program. Dream Camp students worked with a fitness instructor for 45 minutes each day and learned different dance styles.

Activities included in our Summer Program are: • Robotics• Reading• Swimming• Healthy Living • Music recognition and production• Zumba and interpretive dance• Conflict Resolution• Sports (Volleyball, Basketball, Handball, Soccer, Football, & Tennis)• Ballroom Dance• One of the many highlights in this year’s Summer Program was the

student’s Day Camp Show production of “The Legend of the Spirit Stick.”

5

EDUCATE

NuRTuRE

INSPIRE6

Mentoring “is a structured and trusting relationship that brings young

people together with caring individuals who offer guidance, support

and encouragement aimed at developing the competence and char-

acter of the mentee”. For many children, parents satisfy this role, how-

ever, there are a multitude of children who do not have someone to

serve in the capacity of mentor. It is estimated that 20 percent of youth,

approximately 8.5 million children, do not have supportive adults in their

lives.

The success of Dream Camp is built upon the relationships between

staff and students. Staff members consider themselves to be mentors

and get to know each child individually and learn about his or her tal-

ents, hopes and aspirations. With a mentee to mentor ratio of only three

to one, mentors are able to create a real support system for the stu-

dents. Mentors typically stay with the program for years and are able to

see the children reach their goals.

Our mentors are tremendous role models for our students because

they can share their college experiences with students and are great

examples of how the world opens up when you believe in your dreams.

Some of the colleges that our mentors attend are: Boston College, Col-

lege of the Holy Cross, James Madison university, Northeastern universi-

ty, Trinity College, university of Connecticut and Wesley College.

Mentors & Staff

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12

2013 DREAM CAMP HigH SCHOOl gRADuATES – EXCiTED AnD PREPARED FOR THE CHAllEngES AnD

OPPORTuniTiES THAT liE AHEAD

“It’s our time to rise and shine, be what you want to be….express yourself!”

Brianna – 9th Grade

Dream Camp takes the opportunity whenever possible to develop

creative, innovative programming that not only engages students but

also introduces students to unique professions. Certainly the academ-

ic achievement fulfilled by our students is a measure of the success of

Dream Camp. However, we are equally proud of the positive character

traits that are without question, a common thread amongst our gradu-

ates. Whether our graduates are attending college, learning a trade or

entering the workforce, we know their new peers will find them to be de-

pendable, knowledgeable, compassionate and driven to be the best

they can be. This may be the greatest testament to the role that Dream

Camp has had in their lives.

2013 DREAM CAMP gRADuATES will bE ATTEnDing THE

FOllOwing COllEgES AnD vOCATiOnAl PROgRAMS

8

2013 Dream Camp Graduates

The measurable outcomes achieved, speak volumes to the pro-

found difference Dream Camp has made in the lives of its students

and graduates. Students who participate in the Dream Camp program

demonstrate improved math and reading skills as well as overall im-

proved academic performance.

Dream Camp’s vision for the future:

1) Continue to provide underserved Hartford students with the oppor-

tunity to pursue their dreams.

2) Add programs to the curriculum that nurture the individual, educate

the mind and inspire the spirit.

3) Build and grow an endowment to ensure long-term program sustain-

ability and to be prepared for challenges that may lie ahead.

Dream Camp has been there and will continue to be there to pro-

vide Hartford’s underserved children with resources, leadership and

guidance so they are given the best opportunity to succeed. At Dream

Camp, students are prepared to think about their future, develop and

demonstrate leadership skills and initiate plans to achieve their goals.

9

The RoadAhead

Here are some of the ways you, your family or your company can be-come part of the dream:

viSiT: To truly appreciate the hard work, fun and excitement that

takes place at Dream Camp, we encourage you to visit us. We know

that you will walk away inspired by talking with our students, mentors

and staff.

vOlunTEER: There are many different ways that you can support

Dream Camp through volunteering. Just as we know that each of our

students has unique gifts and talents, we know that volunteers bring a

variety of life experiences, skills and talents that can make a big differ-

ence to Dream Camp.

SuPPORT: More than 2,750 scholarships have been awarded to stu-

dents to attend since 1998. This could not have been accomplished

without the financial support of individuals, businesses and founda-

tions. We invite you to support Dream Camp by making a tax-deduct-

ible donation. we believe there is no greater investment than investing in our community’s children.

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ESF Dream Camp Foundation is tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) nonprofit, donor-supported organization.

For more information on Dream Camp, please contact: Matt Proffitt, Program Director ESF Dream Camp at Trinity College 300 Summit Street, Hartford, CT 06109-3100

PHOnE 860-987-6209 EMAil mproffitt@esfdreamcamp.org

www.esfdreamcamp.org

This is a snapshot of Dream Camp’s

2013 enrollment. Each number rep-

resents the students residing in each

zip code throughout Hartford. In addi-

tion, there are 59 Dream Camp students who are outside of the Hart-

ford area. As you can see from the map, Dream Camp attracts students

from all regions of Hartford. Providing free transportation for students from their

homes or schools and back is another way that we make the dream a reality.

How are students referred to Dream Camp? Dream Camp begins to identify potential par-

ticipants at the age of six. Teachers, social workers and guidance counselors from schools

in communities in Hartford identify children who could benefit from Dream Camp. They select

children who need the holistic support Dream Camp offers. Some of the students selected to participate in Dream

Camp do not have adult role models in their lives, others are struggling academically and/or behaviorally and still

others do not have the appropriate care during out-of-school hours. In addition to the students, Dream Camp also

invites the families of its students to participate in helpful workshops and informational sessions. Once children en-

gage in Dream Camp, they have the option of staying in the program through college.

Dream Camp has been there and will continue to be there to provide Hartford’s underserved children with re-

sources, leadership and guidance so they are given the best opportunity to succeed. Teachers, mentors, staff,

volunteers, donors, and most importantly, the students, all share in the success of Dream Camp. Together, we make

the dream a reality.

TRiniTY COllEgEHARTFORD, CT

After-School Academy and Summer Camp

Dream Camp’s Reach