mission:summer

partnership-powered mobile camps to build community infrastructure, empower summer exploration, and bridge the academic calendar.

mission:summer

American students only go to school, on average, 180 days. A recent survey revealed that 75% of students aren't enrolled in summer learning programs. As a result, summer brain drain and a w i d e n i n g a c h i e v e m e n t g a p a r e exacerbated, fue l ing the c r is is o f engagement and creativity in the American education system. Furthermore, with more time spent wired and indoors between schoo l sess ions , you th and the i r communities risk a dramatic loss in free play, exploration, + community building central to an enriching summer break. Enter...

Inspired by the timeless nostalgia of the neighborhood ice cream truck, the social media fueled urban food truck revolution, and mobile museum + park units, we want to harness the power of the serendipitous interaction and novelty spurred by these mobile trucks to fuel exploration and creativity during summer vacation and into the academic year.

how does it work?

how does it work?(weʼre glad you asked.)

how does it work?

map community

form partnerships

build programming

mobilizethe mission

integrateacademically

spread the word

map community

mission:summer, though ostensibly novel, is actually rooted in very real principles of asset-based community development and urban planning. The first step is to assemble a district and community team of leaders to map local assets: schools, libraries, green spaces, academic/cultural institutions, community centers, etc. Mapping these formal institutions alongside informal gathering places helps district see through a place-based lens and target specific areas.

map community

Identify: neighborhoods, blocks, parks and green areas, play grounds, schools, community centers, libraries, cultural and academic institutions, hang-out spots, gardens and markets, sports areas, skate parks, and more.

map community

The centra l operat ing pr inc ip le of mission:summer is to define and fuel creative partnerships with school districts. As such, institutions and individuals directly contribute to the planning and operating of the mobile fleet. By identifying positive assets and forming strong connections, the mission:summer project builds a creative inertia that carries over into the school year formally and informally.

map community

form partnerships

map community

map community

form partnerships

mission:summertrucks

Individuals

Community and parent catalysts

Institutions

Libraries, Museums, Galleries, Studios,

Businesses/Organizations/Associations

Schools

School district representatives, teachers, and

curricular catalysts

Youth

Community wide student planning

catalysts

{Truck is themed and team of individuals, institutions, school representatives, and youth fuel the summer planning and programming. Themes are intentionally broad and planning committees intentionally diverse.

map community

map community

form partnerships

e.g.

Hardware store owner; Local architect; team of parent mechanics

Yoga studio owner; team of fitness minded parents; Little league director

Local mom who hosts the morning radio news; local DJ; documentarian and production team

Museum of Science and Industry; Local AIA/AIGA chapters; MAKE magazine community manager

Hubbard Street Dance Company; Urban Gateways; Local park district programmer

Local newspaper; NPR station; public library

Head district shop/woodworking teacher; Science Olympiad coach; school principal who used to be an engineer

Dance coach; district physical education curricular lead; group of teachers who latin dance on the weekends

Student newspaper sponsor; English department chair; District IT director

Local Eagle Scout; captain of the pine wood derby team; engineering college student home for the summer

Dance team member; soccer captain; Girls on the Run youth leader

Newspaper editor; film club leader; local YouTube “celebrity” (9th grader whose skateboard how-tos went viral)

mission: maketrucks

mission: movetrucks

mission: producetrucks

Both general/Chicago specific

examples

map community

form partnerships

build programming

mission:summer’s programming is customizable for each community, as is the format for delivery (and size, for those intimidated). Truck teams can choose to divide the summer into months or collaborate on all programming ideas. But there a few central concepts that all teams should consider when forming their schedule, identifying resources, designing programs...

map community

form partnerships

build programming

• Programs should be 90-120 minutes in length.

• There should always be “single serving,”“multi-week summer workshop,” and individual program options.

• These interactions are meant to be catalysts for individual and group exploration. Materials and information in the trucks and online will direct parents/students how they can make, move, produce, explore, etc more.

map community

form partnerships

build programming

• Students with independent projects/goals are encouraged to register them online. “Mission hours,” like office hours, right before and after programming are times students can consult with mentors.

• Students should be encouraged to register and participate online to log their attendance, share creations, and see/hear other work and stories.

map community

form partnerships

build programming

spread the word

mission:summer spreads the word in the usual ways, school newsletters, library and museum bulletin boards, local radio and newspapers, etc. but it also engages students and parents using social media to build momentum, identify locations, create a feedback loop, solicit ideas, and spread stories.

map community

form partnerships

build programming

spread the word

“The #mission:summer #produce + #explore trucks are hitting Montrose beach at 1:30. Let’s just say #birds + #flip cameras. Special guests...”

My “flight” mini doc got posted on the @mission:make website. #omgsoexcitedrightnow.

Latest batch of mini-docs posted from the mission:produce truck. School kick off screenings at Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum 9/7/11 @6:00. Free entry.

map community

form partnerships

build programming

spread the word

mission:summer could also have a web interface with local and national content and schedules. The layout possibilities are endless. But one thingʼs for sure, they would definitely use Google maps.

map community

form partnerships

build programming

mobilizethe mission

spread the word

With planning down, the only thing left to do is mobilize. mission:summer’s trucks:• follow a basic schedule• show up at community events• have several surprise visits every

summer• are filled with possibilityWe suggest that, to cut costs, districts use their bus fleet or rely on creative partnerships to outfit the mission trucks.

Also, don’t be afraid to start small. We just like thinking big

map community

form partnerships

build programming

mobilizethe mission

spread the word

Communities can use whatever mobile infrastructure they have to accommodate mission:summer’s trucks:• follow a basic schedule• show up at community events• have several surprise visits every

summer• are filled with possibility

map community

form partnerships

build programming

mobilizethe mission

integrateacademically

spread the word

What now? Summer’s done.

map community

form partnerships

build programming

mobilizethe mission

integrateacademically

spread the word

What now? Summer’s done.

We know. But hereʼs the catch. When you

look at a place for its community and creative assets, you say “yes, and”, you

foster spontaneous interactions, you create connections, and build networks

organically...

mission:summer doesnʼt end.It empowers.

It empowers year-round.

And that is why we think it is special. It relies on a strong planning process rooted in community development.

The connections fostered result in future programming between institutions, artists in residences, new personal and professional relationships, kids during the summer that say “ah-ha,” not “Iʼm bored.”

And whoʼs to say the trucks canʼt make appearances in December? Not us.

an education idea.

Melanie Kahl