Educators

Camp Sparky strives to bring the dream of college to young students that may not be regularly exposed to the idea of higher learning. While Camp Sparky brings college to each elementary classroom for one or two days each year, we hope that elementary school faculty are also working towards integrating the idea of a college education into their classroom.

On this page you will find:

  • A message about the importance of spreading the word of higher education in your elementary schools
  • Resources to increase your students' "college knowledge"
  • Information for bringing Camp Sparky to your school

 

The Importance of Higher Education

As a Camp Sparky alum, a first generation college graduate, and now a teacher at Phoenix Collegiate Academy, I have seen first hand the importance of integrating college into a child's experiences in schools. For children in affluent communities, going to college is an expectation, and a college preparatory education is a birthright. For students in the communities Camp Sparky serves, this luxury and privilege is non-existent. It is up to teachers, counselors, and administrators to hold students to high expectations that will prepare them for college, and support them on their road to post-secondary education.

Camp Sparky is just one way teachers can develop a college-bound culture in their classroom. By working closely with ASU students, elementary school students are able to see first hand what college is all about, and how a college education can benefit them, their family and their community. By talking explicitly with students about college admissions processes, programs of study, financial aid, and the benefits of going to college, Camp Sparky is able to offer students access to valuable information as these students begin their journey to attending a university.

- Vic Diaz, former Camp Sparky Chair

 

Resources and Ideas to Integrate Higher Education into your School

 

  • Get parents involved - studies show that many parents lack the college knowledge they need to help their kids succeed. Talk to Camp Sparky about organizing a parent information session.
  • Teach kids about financial aid available with an emphasis on government-provided grants.
  • Discuss the college application process, college prep they will do later in their education, and what it means to have a major with your students.
  • Organize an activity where kids research national scholarships that specifically pertain to them.
  • Learn about scholarships within the State of Arizona.
  • Organize a field trip to ASU campus to give kids a real idea of what college is like. Camp Sparky would be excited to help you organize a trip. For more information, please email cs.programs@asu.edu.
  • Get in contact with other clubs at ASU. Many clubs would be excited to talk to your students about their activities or maybe come in and do a demonstration about what the kids can do once they are in college, and getting the kids excited about clubs that directly relate to their interests might just be what they need to get excited about college as well.
  • Bring college sports into your classroom! Keep up-to-date on ASU sports news to talk about in class, organize intramural tournaments like they do in college, or e-mail ASU about the possibility of getting tickets donated so that you can take your students to a game!

 

We are constantly building upon this resource list. If you have ideas or stories about spreading this message to elementary school students, please e-mail cs.communications@asu.edu.

 

Interested in Having Camp Sparky at your School?

Camp Sparky works with Title I schools in the Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa areas. If you are interested in inviting Camp Sparky to your elementary school, fill out this form.

Past Day Camps:

  • Animal Classification Camp
  • Architecture Camp
  • Space Camp
  • Economics Camp
  • Pirate Camp
  • Culture Camp
  • ASU Camp - Camp Sparky gives your students a tour of ASU at the Tempe campus!