Two dozen children gathered under the big tree next to Shortess Chapel and pretended to plant their own trees by gathering red, white and blue chips placed in the grass to represent all that a tree needs to grow such as air, water and sunlight. Although some picked up a green chip — oh no! — representing a disease. That brought a roar of moans from the kids.

The weeklong lessons in nature, held the week of July 24, are a part of the 2023 Summer Success Camp hosted by CIU’s Academic Success Center and the College of Education. The children are students at the Carolina School for Inquiry, a nearby elementary public charter school with whom CIU has a long partnership.

“Today we are learning all the things that are amazing about trees, because God created amazing trees,” explained Education Professor Dr. Lynn Hoekstra while the students took a water break. She is leading the week’s activities.

This day’s theme was, “That’s amazing!”

“We are teaching them to care for creation, and to be amazed at how it all fits together,” Hoekstra added.

After explaining to the students about how the root system of a tree locks around the roots of another tree making them stronger, the children responded:

“That’s amazing!”

Several CIU volunteers are assisting with the program, including Katie Mayberry, who just graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching in May.

“I love seeing the kids and their excitement about learning when the lightbulb goes on,” said Mayberry. “And more than that, I love the relationships (with them) that keeps me going.” 

Mayberry is gearing up for this fall when she begins teaching first grade at Covenant Classical Christian School in Columbia.

While Mayberry was helping the littlest the kids at the drinking fountain in the Fisher Building, Education Professor Linda Murdaugh was showing the older students the classrooms and explaining what it’s like to be a college student. Which is one of the goals of the Summer of Success Camp.

“This is an outreach into our community to get the students on a college campus to think, ‘Hey maybe one day I’ll want to go to college,’” Hoekstra said.

The director of the Carolina School for Inquiry, Victoria Dixon-Mokeba, calls the camp "remarkable." 

"This camp has proven to be precisely what our young scholars need," Dixon-Mokeba said. "So many children today are constantly engrossed in devices, lacking a genuine appreciation for the beauty of nature and the invaluable experience of learning outdoors. The concept of the outdoor classroom is nothing short of brilliant, and we sincerely hope to continue implementing it throughout the upcoming school year."

Also, as part of this week’s Summer of Success, the Academic Success Center is assisting some incoming freshmen, dual enrollment students and transfer students with sessions that will give them a head start on tackling college courses.    

CIU is celebrating 100 years of its mission to “educate people from a biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ.” The university consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report, as well as a Best Value Regional University in the South. Apply now or request information on enrollment by contacting Admissions at (803) 807-5024 or admissions@ciu.edu.