Summer provides young people with a chance to recharge, explore new interests, make new connections, and grow outside of the traditional classroom. This year, students participating in Wellspring Center for Prevention’s Pathways summer programming did all of that and more.
Through hands-on activities, community partnerships, creative projects, social-emotional learning, and trips beyond the program setting, students had opportunities to practice coping skills, build confidence, strengthen friendships, and simply enjoy being together.
From boxing exercises and arts and crafts to college exploration and summer goal-setting, each experience offered a different path toward the same goal: helping young people feel connected, supported, and ready to take on new challenges.
Building Social and Emotional Skills Through Summer Fun
By Ashley Rosman
Middle School and Junior High School Summer Program
The Path joined the Carteret Summer School Program in order to give the students the opportunity to engage in fun social-emotional learning activities for the Middle School and Junior High School Students for one week. This gave the students time to be in a low-stress, engaging, and fun class period each day. Students were able to engage in activities such as creating a summer vision board and/bucket list. This helped students create their goals for the summer, brainstorm opportunities, and help keep them motivated. Students were also able to create slime, paint records, plant seeds, and have fun in team-building games and activities.
These activities helped students build connections with others and helped promote the utilization of coping skills. While engaging in these activities, students were able to learn how they can help themselves manage stress and control their emotions. Overall, students had fun engaging in activities geared toward promoting positive social and emotional health.
Summer Adventure Academy is a premier four-week day program designed specifically for pre-teens and young teens ages 10 to 14. Our mission is to bridge the gap between structured learning and pure summer fun, helping campers build confidence, discover new passions, and make lifelong friendships.
The program runs from July 6 to July 31, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Summer Adventure Academy is a premier four-week day program designed specifically for pre-teens and young teens ages 10 to 14. Our mission is to bridge the gap between structured learning and pure summer fun, helping campers build confidence, discover new passions, and make lifelong friendships.
The program runs from July 6 to July 31, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Creating, Connecting, and Having Fun
By Alejandra Lopez
Pathways Arts & Crafts Club
This summer, our Arts & Crafts Club gave campers a chance to get creative, try new activities, and most importantly, connect with one another in a fun and welcoming environment. Each session offered a different hands-on project designed to encourage self-expression, conversation, and plenty of creativity.
One of our favorite activities was making DIY body scrubs. Campers created their own scrubs while learning about the importance of self-care and taking time for themselves. The activity also created a relaxed setting where campers could talk to their peers, share ideas, and get to know one another. It was a simple but meaningful way to combine creativity with conversations about taking care of ourselves.
We also explored the connection between music and emotions by creating music mood boards on vinyl records. Campers used pictures, drawings, and other creative designs to represent their favorite songs and artists, as well as the feelings and memories those songs brought to mind. This activity gave everyone an opportunity to express themselves in their own unique way while learning more about each other’s musical interests. It was fun to see how different songs could inspire completely different emotions and artwork!
Of course, not every project needed a deeper meaning; sometimes it was simply about having fun! Campers decorated picture frames using their own creative ideas and designs. They were able to personalize their frames and enjoy some time creating alongside their friends.
Throughout the summer, Arts & Crafts Club was about more than just making crafts. It provided campers with a space to create, express themselves, practice self-care, and build connections with their peers. Whether they were designing a mood board, mixing up a body scrub, or decorating a picture frame, campers had the opportunity to share their personalities and enjoy the creative process together. We loved seeing the creativity, laughter, conversations, and connections that came out of each session. It was a wonderful summer filled with inspiration and lots of opportunities to make something special!
Building Confidence and Resilience Through Movement
By Briana Demartino
Pivotal Point Empowering Project
This summer, we had the pleasure of collaborating with Pivotal Point Empowering Project to promote the connection between our physical and mental well-being. Pivotal Point uses boxing methods and drills to promote healthy coping and finding outlets for difficult emotions through movement and discipline. Mentors emphasize boxing not as “self-defense” against others but a place to challenge negative thoughts and strengthen the individual’s self-confidence against adversity.
For three weeks, Pivotal Point trainers and mentors came to conduct several contact-free self-defense drills and the foundations of boxing in small groups with our campers. Here, they got to test their limits and try something new alongside peers and counselors. Each drill had a purpose of physical exertion, mental resilience, and group socialization, as many of the drills were done in pairs.
Research has found that physical activity and the mental health of adolescents can be directly correlated in decreasing the symptoms of common mental health conditions among teens such as anxiety and depression, as well as promoting healthy regulation of emotions. Physical activity gives teens an opportunity to externalize difficult emotions rather than internalizing them. (Belcher et. al 2021)
Overall, student response and engagement were positive through our reflection journaling opportunities and post-program surveys. Students participated week-by-week and were able to practice these same drills at home if desired. Thank you again to Pivotal Point Empowering Project and their Mentors for creating such a welcoming, engaging and fun program for our students and staff!
Belcher, B. R., Zink, J., Azad, A., Campbell, C. E., Chakravartti, S. P., & Herting, M. M. (2021). The Roles of Physical Activity, Exercise, and Fitness in Promoting Resilience During Adolescence: Effects on Mental Well-Being and Brain Development. Biological Psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging, 6(2), 225–237.
Learning, Creating, and Growing Together
By Stephie Degand
Throughout our summer Pathways program, elementary school students participated in a variety of hands-on and interactive experiences that encouraged creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, and positive peer relationships. Students engaged in arts and crafts activities such as planting flowers, designing masks and self-portraits, decorating flower pots and picture frames, creating breathing beads, and painting rock pets, among many others.
Activities such as creating self-portraits and breathing beads provided opportunities for students to develop positive self-esteem and practice calming strategies. They also took part in a marshmallow tower and puzzle-piece challenge, where teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving were essential to completing each activity.
Group games such as Headbanz, Telephone, and Silent Ball further supported students’ listening, communication, and critical-thinking skills while providing opportunities to build connections and enjoy time with their peers.
We concluded the program with an exciting day of relay races that encouraged students to remain active while participating in friendly competition. During the races, students demonstrated teamwork, perseverance, and encouragement as they supported one another through each challenge. The day ended with popsicles, providing a fun and refreshing way for students to celebrate the conclusion of our program. Throughout the program, students were also given opportunities to make choices about the activities they participated in, encouraging them to express their preferences, find their voice, and feel heard. Overall, Pathways offered students meaningful opportunities to explore their creativity, strengthen social connections, and create positive memories in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone
By Genesis Acevedo
Pathways Trips
The Pathways Summer Academy Program provides students with plenty of opportunities to try new things, meet new people, and build meaningful connections. This summer, students participated in several exciting trips designed to encourage teamwork, exploration, and personal growth. From bowling and roller skating to visiting Dave & Buster’s and exploring a college campus, each experience gave students the opportunity to step outside of their comfort zones and create new memories.
The program’s first trip of the summer was bowling. For many students, this was an opportunity to introduce themselves, meet new people, and make new friendships while working together as a team. Some students were focused on reaching a high score and enjoyed a bit of friendly competition, while others were simply happy to participate and have fun with their peers. Regardless of their skill level, everyone had an opportunity to be part of the experience.
The second trip included taking the students to Montclair State University, where they had the chance to explore a college campus and ask a variety of questions. Students walked around campus and learned more about what a college environment could look like, from dorming/commuting to class and joining clubs. The visit encouraged students to think about what they may want and need when considering higher education in the future.
The third trip was to Dave & Buster’s, where students continued to strengthen their friendships and connections through arcade games and activities. Students had fun competing against one another, trying different games, and spending time together. The trip provided another opportunity for students to interact with their peers in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
Last but not least, students wrapped up their trips with roller skating. Similar to bowling, roller skating was a first-time experience for many students. Although being on wheels presented a challenge, students embraced the experience and enjoyed learning something new. This also taught students that it is okay to ask for help when needed, as they relied on each other to move around the rink. Their willingness to try something new demonstrated the importance of stepping outside of their comfort zones and giving new activities a chance.
Each of these trips was selected with the purpose of helping students build connections, try new things, develop confidence, and explore their interests. Most importantly, the experiences encouraged students to think about their future and identify what they may want and need as they consider higher education. Through teamwork, exploration, and shared experiences, the Pathways Summer Academy Program gave students opportunities to grow while having fun along the way.
Looking Back on a Summer of Growth
No two parts of the Pathways summer experience looked exactly the same. Students created, exercised, explored, played, reflected, worked together, and tried activities that were completely new to them.
What connected these experiences was the opportunity for young people to grow in supportive environments. Whether they were thinking about their goals for the summer, expressing themselves through art, challenging themselves physically, making a new friend, or imagining themselves on a college campus, students were given opportunities to develop skills and connections that can continue well beyond the summer months.
As another school year begins, we are grateful to the staff, partners, and students who helped make this summer memorable, and we look forward to seeing where those experiences take them next.