Youth Enrichment

Summer 2026 Dates

Summer Literacy Enrichment Program Hours: 8:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Nationally recognized for elementary education, Montclair State University’s faculty in the Department of Teaching & Learning (TLRN) has created The Summer Literacy Enrichment Program and The epiSTEMic Program designed for teaching and learning with the child and teacher in mind.

The Summer Literacy Program of the Department of Teaching & Learning for children from grades 1-12, provides individualized diagnostic and literacy enrichment services for students who are experiencing difficulties in reading and language arts skills or are seeking to enhance their general literacy skills. The program ensures that reading and writing remain fun and meaningful with the perfect balance of instructional support to keep children engaged in literacy experiences throughout the summer months, in preparation for the new school year.

The program is staffed by classroom teachers and Reading Specialists who are in the final stages of completing the requirements for their Master’s degrees and/or state of New Jersey Reading Certification, most of whom have taught an average of five years. Instruction is done under the supervision of faculty from Montclair State University’s Graduate Program in Reading.

The Summer Literacy Program is offered during July and is a partner with the epiSTEMic Camp. The Literacy Camp is offered from 8:45 a.m. – 1 p.m., followed by epiSTEMic from 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Features of the program include:

• Literacy interest interview with parent/guardian
• Individualized instruction
• Informal and Formal Assessment
• End of program portfolio share and conference
• A written report of student progress
• Nutritious lunch buffet

Enrollment fee: $1,750

$1,500 per program until November 28, 2025

$2,250 if enrolled in both Summer Literacy and epiSTEMic programs until November 28, 2025

$2,800 if enrolled in both Summer Literacy and epiSTEMic programs after November 28, 2025

Discounts Available

• Montclair Faculty & Staff are eligible for a 30% discount. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts. Please contact hinesf@montclair.edu for payment options.
• Sibling discount of $250 per program available upon request. Discount not applicable to the first child enrolled. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts. Please contact hinesf@montclair.edu for payment options.

For more program information please contact:

Ms. Heather Craner at cranerh@montclair.edu
Ms. Beatrice Hanratty at hanrattyb@montclair.edu

Please complete enrollment application and payment form below:

Summer 2026 Dates

The epiSTEMic Summer Program Hours: 1:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Faculty in the Department of Teaching & Learning (TLRN) developed the epiSTEMic Summer Program to prepare future STEM-ists and STEM teacher leaders. This inclusive program provides all children in grades K-12 with diverse learning strengths to engage in hands-on, inquiry-based, interdisciplinary STEM activities for enrichment and core competencies development. Students partner with alumni, current teacher education students, and teachers from our partner districts as they participate in small-group STEM activities.

Features of the program include:

• Interdisciplinary hands-on STEM projects
• Small group and individualized instruction by certified teachers
• Developmentally appropriate work with integrated technologies
• Collaborative problem-solving and inquiry-based teaching and learning
• Lifelong learning skills such as leadership, communication, and interpersonal engagement

Past projects include:

• Developing a prototype of disability aids
• Designing and constructing solar-powered cars
• Programming robots such as Dash, Sphero, Kibo, Ari
• Programming and coding with Scratch, Minecraft

The epiSTEMic Program is offered during July and is a partner with the Literacy Enrichment Program. Literacy Enrichment is offered from 8:45 a.m. – 1 p.m., followed by epiSTEMic from 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Enrollment fee: $1,750

$1,500 per program until November 28, 2025

$2,250 if enrolled in both programs until November 28, 2025

$2,800 if enrolled in both Summer Literacy and Epistemic programs after November 28, 2025

Discounts Available

• Montclair Faculty & Staff are eligible for a 30% discount. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts. Please contact hinesf@montclair.edu payment options.
• Sibling discount of $250 per program available upon request. Discount not applicable to the first child enrolled. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts. Please contact hinesf@montclair.edu for payment options.

For more program information please contact Catherine Watson at watsonc@montclair.edu

Please complete enrollment application and payment form below:

Summer 2026 Dates

The Media Lab Program Hours: 8:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The Media Lab is a dynamic, new program based on the concept of Write on Sports and Write on Arts. The curriculum will share the core principles of existing WoS/WoA programs including student-centered projects, guest speakers, and individualized support from teachers using sports, arts and other student-desired themes. During the program, students will learn tips from professionals on research and reporting as they explore their own topics of interest. For the culminating project, students will write the outline, construct the script and generate a video or podcast focused on their selected topic.

Enrollment fee: $400

For more program information please contact Ms. Shannon Schmitt at shannon@writeonsports.org

Please complete enrollment application and payment form below:

Summer 2026 Dates

Write on Sports Program Hours: 8:45 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Write on Sports helps middle school students develop reading and writing skills and build self-confidence using the lens of sports and the tools of journalism. Middle school students enhance their critical thinking and learn how to effectively tell stories. Most of all, they learn that anything is possible with passion, effort, and the support of people who care.

For more information on Write on Sports and to register, please click here or contact Ms. Shannon Schmitt at shannon@writeonsports.org