JRJF’s Student Explorers spend five summer days at a science-based camp a plane ride away from their everyday lives.
According to the National Summer Learning Association, most students lose about two months of grade level equivalency in math skills over the summer months; low-income students also lose more than two months in reading achievement, despite the fact that their middle-class peers make slight gains. More than half of the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities. As a result, low-income youth are less likely to graduate from high school or enter college.
Student Explorers offers an educational, fun and safe summer camp opportunity for underserved students. The participants are chosen based on their response to an essay contest. For most, it is their first time away from home, without familiar faces around to fall back on.
The five-day adventure is a transforming experience. In addition to the “classroom” learning, Student Explorers gain self-confidence, cultural awareness, team work skills and invaluable life lessons.
Student Explorers have traveled to NASA Space Camp, Busch Gardens Adventure Camp, Bahamas Discovery Cove, Northwestern University’s ID Tech camp and most recently, the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.