Children in Wood County who are interested in attending Marietta College’s summer STREAM Camp are set to receive financial assistance, thanks to a generous grant awarded to the College’s Education Department from the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation. The grant, totaling $1,440, will provide critical support for local students wishing to attend the popular summer camp scheduled for June 2025.
The STREAM Camp, a two-week, full-day program during the summer, serves up to 100 local children in grades first through fifth. The curriculum integrates Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STREAM) with a strong focus on literacy development. Marietta College's Teacher Education interns play a pivotal role in the planning and implementation of the camp’s activities, working alongside licensed teachers from the local community to create a dynamic learning experience. The 2025 camp will be June 9-20, and registration will be from February 1–April 15.
Dr. Amanda Rider, Associate Professor of Education at Marietta College, met with members of the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation, including Fred Rader, Executive Director, Emily Buck, Office Manager, Cynthia Brown, Board Member, and Amy Nahley, Senior Program Officer. Rider expressed her gratitude for the funding and explained how it will directly benefit the students.
“We are very gratefully accepting a grant from the Parkersburg Area Foundation, and we are thrilled to put this money toward tuition for students in Wood County, as well as providing them lunch services and snacks and making sure students get their books for attending STREAM camp in June 2025,” Rider said.
The students are taught fine arts and STEM courses, and the curriculum is rooted in literacy.
“We follow the Science of Reading, which is proven to have the largest growth for students,” Rider said. “Our goal is to help kids have a positive experience with literacy. So, it’s a camp atmosphere — it is fun — but we do keep their minds and their bodies busy every day.”
The financial support from the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation will help ensure that more children in Wood County can access this enriching educational experience. The camp offers a unique opportunity for children to engage in hands-on learning in a fun, supportive environment while building literacy skills that will serve them in the years to come.
“We have a passion — a goal — to impact education in our community and so we found this opportunity to support Wood County students and felt it was a worthy cause,” Nahley said.