This summer marked a milestone for ODA as we launched two summer camps in Mansfield, our first ever summer programming outside northeast Ohio.
Just like our kids in Cleveland, our Mansfield scholars’ summer was packed full of learning, visiting local businesses, and, of course, serious fun!
37 fourth- and fifth-grade scholars participated in the four-week Malabar Intermediate Camp, where they made crafts, built literacy skills, played piano and drums, visited the Fire and Police Departments, and even practicing their putting skills at Kelly’s Golf.
A highlight of the summer was spending the day at the Buckeye Imagination Museum, where scholars let their creativity run free. From climbing through imaginative play spaces and competitive rounds of air hockey to experimenting with hands-on STEM exhibits, they discovered how play can spark both problem-solving and collaboration. The museum quickly became a favorite stop — a place where scholars could be curious, adventurous, and build confidence while simply having fun.
In addition to financial literacy, practicing martial arts, learning about nutrition and mental health, visiting an urban farm, and exploring varied careers, our 35 sixth through eighth grade scholars at Mansfield Middle School were asked a big question.
“What does it mean to be a leader?” Instead of simply talking about it, scholars drew, wrote, and collaged their responses, finding words and photos from magazines and websites that best described what leadership meant to them.
Each poster was colorful and expressive. “Leaders restore confidence,” “Leaders never treat you bad,” and “Leaders listen to others.”
We’re confident the future is in safe hands!
We’re also deeply grateful to our Mansfield community partners for helping to make our inaugural camps possible.
Why is summer camp so important for our community?
Like our afterschool programs, our summer camps are crucial for the families we serve. In addition to enriching activities for our scholars, we feed our kids and help parents stay working by providing an essential childcare function.
To learn more about our Mansfield summer camp, visit https://www.opendoorsacademy.org/programs/mansfieldsummer
