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Summer Enrichment Programs at McDonogh

Throughout the summer months, in addition to McDonogh Summer Camps, the school was home to several enrichment programs for students as well as adults. In mid-June, ARISE 5, a conference for the Pupil of the Eye—the People of African descent, took place on campus. The five-day event, which coincided with the Juneteenth weekend, was co-chaired by retired Art Department Chair Oletha DeVane who spoke about McDonogh's Memorial to Those Enslaved and Freed which she designed. Participants also engaged in creative ways and means of bringing all people together in the pursuit of racial justice, healing, and unity.

At the end of June through July, more than 30 students from Mt. Royal Elementary/Middle School and 15 McDonogh middle schoolers participated in the annual Middle Grades Partnership (MGP) Summer Enrichment Program. The five-week camp featured math, science, ELA, consumer finance, LEADS (leadership, equity, activism, diversity, service), and fun! While mornings focused on academics, afternoons were spent rock climbing, using the ropes course, swimming, and exploring the stream. Students also enjoyed an Amazing Race competition that required them to solve riddles and explore McDonogh’s campus; a super science demo day; and an opportunity to study the engineering behind roller skating at Skate Zone. McDonogh’s MGP Director Willie Little says, “The strength of our program is the teachers and the students. The teachers planned fun and engaging hands-on lessons and the students were willing to be challenged. The way they learn and make connections with one another is what builds us up!”

Lastly, late July saw the arrival of more than 30 boys (11-13 years) on campus for the inaugural Baltimore Summer Lacrosse Academy—four solid days of learning lacrosse, leadership, and life habits. The kids hailed from neighborhoods across Baltimore and from diverse lacrosse, social, and academic experiences and backgrounds. Jeff Sindler ‘83, who founded the camp and helped fund it through his non-profit, Baltimore Lacrosse, says, “The coaches did a great job of contextualizing lacrosse and sports and the greater importance of habits for success and thriving.” He adds, “The campers reveled in the connections with coaches and peers as well as the campus and dormitory experience.”

Contributing photographers: ARISE 5, MGP, and Joseph Edwards Photography