“I can’t say enough about the impact Sum Camp has had on our son. As you know, he really struggled with math before Sum Camp. We worried that if he couldn’t figure out grade school mathematics, how could he ever get through high school? His third grade teacher gave us the invitation for Sum Camp and said she thought it would be a great opportunity for him. We jumped at the chance to enroll him in a summer camp taught by Colby employees, professors, and students, and we are so glad we did.
Something about the way mathematics was taught at Sum Camp really “clicked” for him. It wasn’t just book work. He discovered that math was everywhere – and that it could actually be fun. He would come home every day excited to tell us what he’d learned and looked forward to going to Sum Camp every morning. The little boy that used to come home so frustrated after school walked out of that gym after the final performance all excited for fourth grade to start so he could show his new teacher how he knew math.
Sum Camp did more than just spark his love of mathematics – it helped him find confidence in himself. As a child, he struggled with severe anxiety. When he couldn’t grasp a new concept right away, his frustration often felt overwhelming. As a mom, it was heartbreaking to see him struggle.
But that summer, something changed. My boy, who was always so hard on himself, ended camp on stage, performing in front of a room full of strangers. He walked away from Sum Camp with a confidence I had never seen before. He started opening up to his peers, making friends, and even joined chorus.
Since Sum Camp, math has never been a struggle for him. He has maintained A’s in every math class since fourth grade. He’s the one we turn to when his younger brother needs help with his homework.
I truly hope that funding concerns won’t prevent other children from experiencing the same transformation he did – because the boy who walked into Sum Camp that first morning was not the same one who stepped off that stage at the final performance. Sum Camp changed his life, and I know it can do the same for so many others. “
Parent of 2019 camper writing in 2025. The child was a rising 4th grader when he attended the camp and is now a 9th grader.
“[Sum Camp] tested [me] to the limits. It was fun to solve all the problems … First I got it wrong, but I kept on trying until I got it right.”
2019 Participant
“I used to not really care about math. But now when I go home, I get my multiplication flash cards out of my closet and do them. I want to do math.”
2019 Participant
“She now realizes math can be found all around her.”
Parent of 2019 Participant
“We do [math] in funner ways. [I’m] able to understand math easier.”
2022 Participant
“I’m proud of learning new things. I learned to take my time. I take pressure a little easier now.”
2022 Participant
“Number lines helped me understand way more. If I get frustrated, I picture shapes in my head. It helps me visualize. I learned to draw problems. I’m proud of how I did in the math games. I had to memorize numbers on a line and a numbers on dice!”
2022 Participant
“[Combining] art and math helped me realize math isn’t boring. [I learned] I should pay more attention in math [and] draw pictures to solve things.”
2022 Participant
“Math was hard before, but now I’ve learned strategies – breaking down [problems] into smaller pieces. Math included in the subjects [art, music, theatre] made it feel easier.”
2022 Participant
“[Sum Camp] changed how I feel. I didn’t like math because [there was] too much homework. Now I like it because I realize math is in everything. If you get a problem wrong, it’s okay — you can keep trying.”
2022 Participant
“I feel like I became a little bit smarter at math. The flower activity was a little hard, but I was proud of doing it.”
2023 Participant
Camp helped me with skip counting. I feel better about my math skills. I want to come back again. I liked making new friends. I liked the activities. I feel a little bit better about math, but it’s still really hard.
2023 Participant
I loved math camp. Camp made me feel stronger about math. I feel more confident. I would come back again if I could.
2023 Participant
I liked everything, especially art and games. Skip counting circle thing helped me with my facts. Freeze tag and the statue game helped with multiplication. I was proud that I was able to add up all my points. I’d like to come back. I really liked being here.
2023 Participant
I loved camp. It turned math into fun games. Mom says I’m happier at camp. I got better at adding up my points. I surprised myself by being able to use large numbers. Camp is perfection. I want to come back.
2023 Participant
Coming in to camp, I didn’t think I could do the math, but then it got better and better. I learned there’s more than one way to solve a problem. Good strategy for next year!
