Summer Enrichment Camp

At Urbana Neighborhood Connections Center (UNCC), summer is never just about keeping kids busy. It’s about creating a space where they can continue learning, developing, and having fun in a way that feels exciting and meaningful. Our Summer Enrichment Camp is a full-day, eight-week program designed to help students in grades K through 9 stay active, engaged, and confident all summer long.

Each day is carefully planned to balance structured academic enrichment with recreation, creativity, and social connection. From literacy and math to team-building activities and field trips, every part of the program is built with your child’s growth and well-being in mind.

The Summer Enrichment Camp is not a drop-in program or a babysitting service. It is a thoughtfully designed experience that supports the whole child. Our curriculum is age-appropriate and flexible, allowing students to grow academically without feeling like they’re still in school.

Each week includes:

• Small Group Academic Sessions
  Students participate in focused activities that reinforce reading comprehension, math fluency, and critical thinking. These sessions are led by caring educators and staff members who know how to make learning feel fun, not forced.

• Social and Emotional Development
  Campers engage in group discussions and team projects that help them understand themselves and others. Activities are designed to promote kindness, respect, and emotional regulation in a supportive setting.

• Creative Play and Expression
  From art projects and music sessions to storytelling and science experiments, students have daily opportunities to express themselves and explore their imaginations.

• Outdoor Recreation and Physical Activity
  We believe that movement is essential to both physical and mental health. Campers spend time outside playing organized games, participating in fitness challenges, and enjoying summer weather in a safe environment.
• Weekly Field Trips and Special Events
  Each week brings something new, including trips to local parks, museums, cultural centers, or special guests visiting the Center. These experiences allow students to connect classroom concepts to the real world and build lasting memories with their peers.

While each day at camp is a little different, most follow a steady rhythm that helps students feel secure and focused. Mornings are typically reserved for enrichment sessions and structured group learning, while afternoons feature recreation, arts, and field experiences. Lunch and snack times are built into the schedule, and hydration and rest breaks are prioritized throughout the day.

Parents can feel confident knowing that their child is in a consistent and well-supervised environment for the entire day, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Our Summer Enrichment Camp is open to students entering kindergarten through 9th grade in the fall. We group campers by grade level to ensure the activities and learning content are both challenging and age-appropriate. This also gives younger students the chance to build friendships with peers, while older students begin learning leadership and collaboration skills.

Whether your child is naturally outgoing or a bit shy, whether they love reading or prefer sports, they will find something to connect with at UNCC. We are proud to offer an inclusive, encouraging environment where all children are welcomed and supported.

Research shows that students can lose up to two months of academic progress over the summer if they are not engaged in meaningful learning activities. This “summer slide” is especially common in reading and math. At UNCC, we work to prevent that slide by keeping students actively learning in a way that feels fresh and exciting.

Students return to school in the fall with greater confidence, stronger skills, and positive memories that help them begin the year on the right foot.

Just as importantly, our camp gives children the space to grow emotionally. They learn how to work with others, handle new challenges, and feel good about who they are. These life skills are just as valuable as the academic ones, and they last long after summer ends.

Your child’s safety is our top priority. All UNCC staff and volunteers undergo background checks and receive training in child development, behavior management, and emergency preparedness. We maintain low student-to-staff ratios to ensure every child receives individual attention.

Health protocols are also in place to ensure a clean and safe environment, and staff are trained to respond to any medical or behavioral needs that may arise during the day.

Our Summer Enrichment Camp fills up quickly each year, and space is limited to ensure quality programming and supervision. If you want to give your child an unforgettable summer filled with learning, creativity, friendship, and fun, we encourage you to register early.

To enroll or ask questions, please contact us at: (217) 954-1749 or fill out the form below.