What is the Capstone Program?
A THOUSAND SUMMERS is committed to empowering the young people we serve to be agents of change and create opportunities to do good in their communities.
Service provides an opportunity to become an active member of the community, learn from those we serve, and discover our ability to make a difference.
Service-learning work develops more vital social-emotional skills for the young people we serve who perform much-needed work for local organizations. Civic learning and democratic engagement in local and global contexts prepare students for meaningful work as leaders and change-makers in the 21st Century.
The Capstone Program invites older campership recipients, with their Mentor’s support, to design and lead a service project during the school year in their community. Campers maximize the impact of the personal growth and development attained through their camp experiences to make a difference and further develop leadership skills that can serve them now and in the future.
Do I qualify?
The ideal Capstone candidate would be:
- A returning A THOUSAND SUMMERS camper
- 15 years old at the time of camp
- Willing to complete a service project in their community
Why should I participate?
Choosing to participate in the Capstone program will:
- strengthen your community and provide an opportunity to give back
- promote your personal growth and civic responsibility
- give you experience in your chosen area
- provide you the opportunity to test out a potential career
Capstone service hours accrued may count towards your school community service requirements.
Capstone service project outcomes and accomplishments are shared with your camp to enhance your leadership program application whether it be the CILT, CIT, Junior Counselor, or Pathfinding program.
What is expected of a Capstone Camper?
The Capstone Campership application asks the applicant to propose a potential service project idea.
If awarded a Capstone Campership, the camper will develop and implement a service project in their community during the school year. The Capstone Mentor will support the camper throughout the project.
The Capstone Program Guide provides the structure of the program and is to be completed as part of the program requirements.
What is expected of a Capstone Mentor?
The Mentor will support the camper with:
- service project development
- service project implementation
- service project reflections
- service project presentation creation
The Capstone Mentor Guide is available as a resource to support the Capstone Mentor through the program.
A Capstone Coach will be available as needed to support the Mentor through the Capstone Program.
Capstone Program Timeline
September 1st
Capstone Campership Application available online
OCTOBER 15th
CAPSTONE CAMPERSHIP APPLICATION DUE DATE
December-January
Mentor and camper/parent meetings
FEBRUARY 3rd
PROJECT START DATE (if the project is ongoing)
February-March
Mentor and camper/parent meetings
MARCH 16th
PROJECT COMPLETION DATE
APRIL 15th
PROJECT PRESENTATION & OUTLINE SUBMISSION DATE
*Adjust the calendar as needed, to consider Winter Break and Spring Break, in order to ensure the project is complete and presentation is submitted by the due date.
Capstone Project Examples
This year’s Capstone Projects provided services to over 1,500 people across the country.
Click on the images below to view examples of some of the service projects that have been completed by our campers.
Previous Projects
Human Services Projects
Teaching Projects
Environmental Projects
Other Projects
