Uncommon Schools Middle Schooler Experiences College Life Over Summer

This summer, rising 9th grader Levi Butler had the opportunity to spend two weeks on the campus of Roger Williams College in Rhode Island, where he attended Camp Uncommon.

“He loved it, loved it, loved it!”, said F elicia Butler about her son Levi’s experience at Camp Uncommon. A rising 9th grader, this summer was his second time at camp. “When he first went the first time in 5th grade, I heard from him all the time. This time, I didn't hear from him at all, he was like, ``I'm good!”

When it came time to decide whether he wanted to go back, he knew immediately he wanted to sign up and strongly encouraged all of his friends to do the same.

Levi attended the session with a number of his close friends from school, but also had the opportunity to meet kids from Uncommon Schools in Boston, Camden, Newark, and Rochester. He developed very close relationships with the counselors, who are older Uncommon high school students. Since arriving back home, he maintains contact with his counselors, texting and calling them regularly.

Uncommon launched Camp Uncommon with the belief that all students deserve access to an enriching summer experience. Summer camp can be incredibly beneficial for young kids’ emotional and physical development, however it is often inaccessible to students from low income communities.

Camp Uncommon helps provide access to those experiences as part of its goal of preparing its students for college and beyond. This summer, over 600 Uncommon students attended camp at Roger Williams University. Camp Uncommon is free for all students who attend Uncommon Schools.

“Our ultimate goal is to provide an enriching summer experience that motivates our campers to approach the future with courage and confidence, and challenges them to develop new relationships and skills in a safe and nurturing environment,” said Julie Jackson, co-CEO of Uncommon Schools.

Levi participated in all the fun-filled activities of a typical summer camp, including athletics, performing arts, art, photography, outdoor adventure and his favorite, swimming.

But because camp was on a college campus, he also got a chance to envision what it would be like to attend college when he graduates from high school.

“He got a sense of what it would be like to be in college, to see what a dorm on a college campus was really like”, said Butler.