Child First Summer Cultural Program helps students apply real world experience

BALTIMORE - Students at Dr. Bernard Sr Elementary School in East Baltimore enjoy a good breakfast before hitting the classroom.  It's part of the Child First Summer Cultural Program.

"We are committed to preventing summer learning loss, which is prevalent for kids in Baltimore City who don't get a chance to be a part of some summer program.  We want our young people to excel and when fall comes along to be on point in their grade," said Carol Reckling, Executive Director for Child First Authority.

The four week program allows about 60 students in kindergarten to fourth grade to connect classroom skills to real world activities.  Students are learning to make a healthy salad in a cooking class.

Students are enjoying the lesson.

"I like cooking because we get to try out new things," said Alexis Guke, third grader.

"We can do different things.  We do activities and learn a lot," said Shania Handy, fourth grader.

Students also enjoy other classes like arts and crafts, sports and games.  The students use what they learn to help them become more productive with hands on experience.

They are more responsible and productive using both learning and real world skills.  This summer program shows the students how to use what they are learning to create a product, which could be sold for an open market.

It's an extension of the Child First After School Program held during the year.

"I like that we can learn all day and do lots of work," said Alexis Guke.

"I like learning about the ecosystems because it's fun," said Shania Handy.

The Child First Summer Cultural Program wraps up on Friday.  The program was funded by the 21st Century Community Learning Center.