Partnership for youth summer fun links south KC neighbors

By Sara Wiercinski

Though still technically winter, many parents are already considering how to occupy school-age children during the summer months. That can mean coordinating schedules, transportation, waitlists and fees – barriers that can make summer care out of the question for many Kansas City families.

Over the Rainbow (OTR) has offered youth summer camp programming since 1994 and is associated with Rainbow School and South Broadland Presbyterian Church at 79th and Holmes. Each summer, OTR enrolls around 200 campers, ages 6 to 12, and employs around 40 part-time counselors and aides– both professional educators and college and high-school students on summer break, many who attended OTR as campers themselves.

“OTR is special because it’s old-fashioned summer fun,” said Lindsay Sills, who is director of the camp. “Kids can be in the dirt for hours on end or play baseball. They build relationships that are not centered around screens.”

Retention is high: registration for the summer opens in mid-winter and typically fills by mid March. Campers enjoy field trips, pool outings, themed activities (like the annual “mud day”) and old-fashioned games incorporating optional “big body” play, which research has proven helps children develop spatial awareness and socio-emotional skills.

In 2021, camp leadership and board began a series of conversations centered around the realization that summer camps are not equally accessible to all kids.

“We wanted to do more to support the community around us,” said Sills. “To see how we could learn from one another and work together with everyone in our neighborhood.”

“We were familiar with the Academy for Integrated Arts school within a block from us: They didn’t have a summer program, so it felt like a great opportunity to collaborate and share what makes camp special.”

Camp leadership created a scholarship fund and set aside spots for 12 campers to attend summer programs at no cost. Spots are decided by a lottery which is open to any AFIA student who will complete Kindergarten, with a priority for siblings. To date, OTR has raised more than $30,000 to support the program, funded by personal donations from OTR and Rainbow School families, the congregation of the South Broadland Presbyterian church and support from the community.

Ashley Mann’s children Symon and Khruise attended OTR as community campers for the past several years.

“It is priceless, when I say that I mean that. I don’t have to worry about what to do with my kids for the summer. It’s a big relief for parents.”

Mann says her daughter Khruise is looking forward to her third year at camp, seeing friends she has made from other schools and going to the pool. After three years of camp, her son Symon has aged out.

“Symon wishes they offered camp after sixth grade. He’s really going to miss it.”

This past summer Mann’s older son Sychez volunteered with counselors and in the outdoor classroom.

“It means a lot to me to have community connections,” said Mann.

Charter school Academy for Integrated Arts (AFIA) offers PreK through 6th grade to 250 students within the Kansas City Public School district. AFIA students learn core subjects using the arts and project-based learning to promote enrichment and curiosity.

Tricia DeGraff, Ph.D. has served as Executive Director of AFIA since its opening in 2012 at 5604 Troost. In 2016, the school relocated to 7910 Troost.

“OTR provides an incredible opportunity for summer enrichment for our students,” said DeGraff. “We are so grateful for all of the work to fund this scholarship program.”

Jess Meador teaches 1st grade at AFIA. During the summer, she works with Sills as assistant director at Over the Rainbow.

Meador sees a direct link between AFIA’s arts integration approach and the OTR summer program:

“During project-based learning we hear from experts and grow together. I learn right alongside the kids,” she said. “The arts integration makes the learning more real and concrete.”

At OTR, campers play outside, take field trips and build community with fellow campers and counselors.

“OTR is a chance for kids to disconnect from social media and connect with each other,” said Meador. “It’s great to see the relationships evolve between kids and staff over the years.”

In addition to sharing OTR summer fun with AFIA families, Meador has met some of her future students first at OTR. “It’s a great way to offer that continuity of care. I like being a bridge between AFIA and OTR.”

Lainey Weidler attended Over the Rainbow first as a camper then a counselor. She is in her final year studying elementary education at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and when it was time to select a student teaching placement, AFIA was a natural fit.

“AFIA also has that major community feel, like OTR,” said Weidler. “They are both places where kids know they are loved. Where we view our classroom as a family.”

After graduating this spring, Weidler will spend the summer as an OTR counselor then hopes to return to AFIA as a licensed teacher.

As they approach the fourth year of the community camper program, Sills and Meador hope it continues to expand by generating more donations to the scholarship fund.

“Our community campers and their families have brought new energy,” said Sills. “Building on that every year has been really special.”

Learn more about Over the Rainbow at www.southbroadland.org/over-the-rainbow and Academy for Integrated Arts at afiakc.org. Donations to the scholarship fund can be made online at www.rainbowauction.org.