Loving God, Serving God, Growing in Grace
 

STARS 2025
Celebrating 12 Years of Serving Children and Families
In Our Community

ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

CAMP DATES: JUNE 23 - JULY 25 (CLOSED JULY 4)
CAMP HOURS: 8:00 A.M. - 4 P.M. MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY
8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. WEDNESDAY
5:30 P.M. - 6:45 P.M. WEDNESDAY FAMILY NIGHT DINNER
CAMP LOCATION: SEASIDE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1300 SEASIDE RD SW, SUNSET BEACH, NC 28468

STUDENTS: 30 rising 2nd/3rd grade students from Jessie Mae Monroe and Union Elementary Schools will
participate in the program this year. Students, recommended by the schools based on mid-year reading scores, are invited to apply. There are 10 students in each class.

Focus: Following The Duke Endowment Summer Literacy Initiative model, we provide:

  • 80-90 hours of literacy instruction throughout the five-week program. Morning literacy is taught by Brunswick County Teachers and Teaching Assistants.

  • 3 hours of afternoon enrichment daily. Enrichment activities vary daily and include STEM activities, physical activities (movement/dance, karate, games, swimming and gym time at the Dinah Gore Aquatic Center), music, art, team activities, etc.

  • Wednesday Night Family Dinners welcome the entire family to share a meal, engage with their child’s teacher, and receive valuable information on supporting their child’s reading at home.

Outcomes: While the primary goal is to prevent summer reading/learning slide, over the past 11 years of offering the STARS Summer Literacy program, students have shown an average of 2-3 months of reading growth over the summer. In addition to the primary goal, the program strives to achieve:

  • Student and family confidence

  • Greater love of reading and learning

  • Strengthening partnerships between families and educators

 
 

Ways to Support the STARS Summer Initiative

“STARS at Seaside UMC Summer Literacy partners are generously investing in the lives and academics of our youth—and it is paying off.
The Duke Endowment celebrates the impact you are making in service to your students and your community.”   (The Duke Endowment Impact Dashboard.)

Volunteer: Meal support, enrichment activities, family engagement nights, and other activities rely on our volunteers to “make it happen” through their gifts of time, smiles, and loving care! Whatever gift of time you can share is gratefully welcome. Complete the form below (this is not a commitment) and indicate your area/s of interest. You will be contacted to discuss your areas of interest and schedule.

***Safe Sanctuaries Training is a requirement for all volunteers who work with children, youth or vulnerable adults. Safe Sanctuaries Training is required every five years. Click here for May 2025 training dates and times.

Contact Meg at 910-579-5753 for more information or with questions.