What Makes the Chester Children's Chorus Summer Camp Special?
Each summer, students in the Chester Children’s Chorus take part in a rigorous six-week, full-day Summer Learning Program filled with music and math in addition to science, art, dance, and more. Since its founding in 1994, hundreds of children have participated in the program, which
equips them for academic and personal success in their community and beyond.
“The Summer Learning Program is the foundation of our year-round program. Our CCC community spends full, busy days together,” says CCC Managing and Education Director Dana Semos. “We practice, practice — and practice some more — our music and math, and have fun learning science, cooking, photography, swimming, and reading.”
Chester Children’s Chorus is a program of Swarthmore College and located on its campus. The nonprofit provides year-round music and math education to children from Chester, Pennsylvania. During the school year, children and youth ages 7 through 18 develop their vocal talents through rehearsals and concerts as well as their math skills through small groups and individualized instruction.
“We play and laugh together, and tire ourselves out every day,” says Semos. “Camp, as our kids call it, is a big undertaking, and worth every minute of planning and preparation.”
This spring, Executive and Artistic Director John Alston H'15 received the Shine the Light award from Swarthmore Centennial Foundation.
Enjoy the following quotes from students who participated in the Summer Learning Program at CCC.
Swimming
“My favorite part of summer camp is swimming and lunch. In swimming, I get to learn how to swim because I was never taught how to. I am learning how to float! And at lunch I like to eat healthy things like salad, and I mix pink lemonade with water to make it healthy.”
- Maurice, third grade
Singing
“I like that I get to hang out with Mr. Sean and I get to show my singing skills.”
Amarisa, third grade
Making Memories Together
“My favorite part is when I get to read with Miss Lois because every time she reads a funny or sad book we make memories together.”
– DylanMarie, third grade
Getting Good at Math
“The best thing about the summer program is the math. When I do math it feels like I get a little older, but I am still having fun. It makes me feel like there is something in myself that says ‘I like math.’ My best dream in my school is to be named a mathematician because I like math and I am really good at it. I haven’t gotten it yet, but I haven’t stopped trying.”
– Brielle, fourth grade
Hands-On Science
“My favorite thing about this summer was science class because we did a lot of very fun, hands-on activities in a science lab.”
– Daion, sixth grade
Making Math Fun
“My favorite program was math because my coach made it really fun for me. It taught me more about money, fractions, and decimals.”
- Glorianna, sixth grade
Singing Songs in Other Languages
“I love the summer program, and I love that I get to experience myself in front of a crowd. Ever since I joined the choir, I feel like my math grades have gotten better because they help us with math. And I like that we get to sing different songs in other languages.”
– Kamiah, seventh grade
Photography
“My favorite thing about summer camp is photography because I get to meet new people and I get to learn new things. It’s so very fun.”
– David, 10th grade
Art and Embroidery
“My favorite thing about summer camp is art class because I’ve been learning new things like embroidery.”
– Kaylani, 11th grade
