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About 500 Surrey school district students in ten elementary school communities have been able to participate in a wide variety of full-day educational and physical activities through-out spring break thanks to the donation of services by 24 community partners.
The students are participating in a program called “DREAM Camp” (Drama, Recreation, Extracurricular, Arts, and Music Camp) that was initiated by the school district to help vulnerable students and lower income families by providing children with free, productive activities through the district’s two-week spring break, ending March 19.
“It’s so great to see so many people, groups and businesses—including school district staff—work hard to come together and help families and children who would benefit most from their assistance,” says Surrey Board of Education chair Laurae McNally.
Last year, the Surrey Board of Education had approved a two-week spring break for the 2009-2010 school year as a measure to help address a budget deficit without eliminating jobs or programs. However, the board expressed concern about the impact the extended break would have on childcare challenges for lower income families, as well as the students who benefit most from consistent learning, structure and activities.
The district identified ten elementary schools to host the DREAM Camps, based on area demographics, appropriate space availability, proximity to city recreation centres and other criteria. The district’s business development department approached community organizations and businesses to ask if they would donate their expertise and equipment to provide school activities.
Twenty-four organizations and businesses donated resources to help the kindergarten to Grade 7 students in the DREAM Camp program, administered by the Community-Schools Partnership. The free camps run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday over the two-week spring break. Snacks and lunches are provided by the Surrey school district’s food services department.
In addition to the DREAM Camps, the City of Surrey and other community partners have offered low-cost spring break sports and other activities at school sites around the district.
Surrey school district spring break DREAM Camp (Drama, Recreation, Extracurricular, Arts, and Music Camp) partners:
- Academy of Arts and Dance
- Ai-The Art Institute of Vancouver
- Arts Umbrella
- Athelite Basketball
- BC Golf Association
- Cartwheels
- Excel Performance Soccer
- Friends of Semiahmoo Bay
- High Touch, High Tech
- Kidproof Canada
- Kins Farm Market – nutrition program
- Marble Gymnastics
- Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society
- Red Tiger Martial Arts
- Science AL!VE
- Science World
- Seung-ri Black WTTU Belt Academy
- Softball BC
- Space Lady
- Sportball
- Stanley Park Ecology Society
- Surrey Gymnastics Society
- Surrey Public Library
- Tennis XL
Last Updated: March 16, 2010
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