The CREC At Home Summer Adventure program can provide you with some engaging activities for students to do.

Grab your scavenger hunt and your treasure map, and get ready, your summer adventure starts here! Complete all of the adventures on the Scavenger Hunt and complete one adventure for each square on the Treasure Map. Be sure to click on the link that matches your child’s grade!

• Rising grade 1 (Google Doc) (PDF)
• Rising grade 2 (Google Doc) (PDF)
• Rising grade 3 (Google Doc) (PDF)
• Rising grade 4 (Google Doc) (PDF)
• Rising grade 5 (Google Doc) (PDF)
• Rising grade 6 (Google Doc) (PDF)

Rising 1st graders and 2nd graders:

Log onto STmath.org through clever.com through 8/16*.  

Have students work on the puzzles! Review STMath’s parents resources or short parents guide to learn more.

Rising 3rd graders through 9th graders:

Log onto zearn.org through clever.com through 8/9*.

Review suggested lessons or games based on priority, grade level skills using Zearn Summer Intensive Series  These lessons will prepare them for next year.  

Review Support for Families & Caregivers (para cuidadores) page for more information about how you can support your child.

*Students will get moved to their new classes roster on or about 8/9.

Use the information found in these letters for other math related enrichment.

• Rising grade 1 (Google Doc)(PDF)
• Rising grade 2 (Google Doc)(PDF)
• Rising grade 3 (Google Doc)(PDF)
• Rising grade 4 (Google Doc)(PDF)
• Rising grade 5 (Google Doc)(PDF)
• Rising grade 6 (Google Doc)(PDF)

(Family Adventures) Connecticut’s Summer Math Passport (Grades K-8)

1. Go to the Summer Math Challenge page.
2. Print the Passport.
3. Complete the problems for each category that corresponds to your grade level in the passport.

• Beach
• Farmer's Market
• Gardening
• Hiking
• Ice cream
• Movement
• Playground

4. When summer ends, return your passport to school and record your adventures in the log.

The Hartford Public Library has daily resources and events for Kids! (Be sure to adjust the age group to see what is happening) You can also look to get free museum passes.

Barnes and Nobles Summer Reading information and journal

Online Word Games

Games

Connecticut has rich opportunities to explore museums. Check out your local library for free museum passes for museums that are not a part of the program. Some great STEM places to visit in Connecticut include:

Nature is all around! Document great things you see that demonstrate the amazing wonders of the natural and designed world.

Participate in the Skys the Limit 2024 CT State Parks Hiking Challenge. Track map your locations, record pictures and create a digital diary of the nature you have seen.

Whether locally or on travels, find as many different types of living things as you can. Tag photos with their location.

Many websites have wonderful activities to do at home with minimal material cost. You may try:

• 60 Easy Science Experiments Using Materials You Already Have On Hand 
• Da Vinci Popsicle Stick Bridge: Add challenges to see if it can hold weight, or be longer, or wider!
• Preschool STEM Activities - The Stem Laboratory
• Build Your Own Rube Goldberg Machine for inspiration check out these videos:

• OK Go - This Too Shall Pass - Rube Goldberg Machine - Official Video
• Largest Rube Goldberg Machine - Guinness World Records 
• The Most Complicated Trickshot Ever

• Help the Environment

• 20 Activities for Kids to Learn About Sustainability - Nature's Path 
• 65+ Upcycling Projects for Kids (Super Fun Craft Ideas!) 

Is it too hot or wet to be outside? Try some computer programming!

• Khan Academy - https://www.khanacademy.org/computing 

• Audience: upper elementary and older; typing required
• Cost: all free
• Device: computer / chromebook - works in the web browser
• Activities: basic - advanced drawings, webpages, and more

• Code Combat - https://codecombat.com/play?classCode= 

• Audience: upper elementary and older; typing required, auto complete options
• Cost: some free tutorials
• Device: computer / chromebook - works in the web browser
• Activities: basic - advanced puzzle / path finding gameplay with coding commands

• Codecademy - https://www.codecademy.com/catalog 

• Audience: high school; typing required
• Cost: some free tutorials
• Device: computer / chromebook - works in the web browser
• Activities: intro: web development and several programming languages

• Swift Playgrounds - https://www.apple.com/swift/playgrounds/

• Audience: upper elementary and older; typing required, auto complete options
• Cost: all free
• Device: Mac / iPad
• Activities: basic to advanced: puzzle / path finding gameplay with coding commands; app development

High School Students: Free Gym Membership

Now through August 31st, teens between the ages of 14-19 can work out for free all summer long! Plus, Planet Fitness is giving away $200,000 to high schools and students! Teens who register can help win a grant for their school and participate in a video contest for a chance to win a scholarship. Don’t wait, register today.

https://www.planetfitness.com/summerpass/registration 

Connecticut Summer Meals Program

The CT Summer Meals Program is federally funded by the USDA and state-administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE). The program provides free, nutritious meals to kids during summer break. Summer Meals meet federal nutrition guidelines and are composed of milk, fruits, vegetables, grains, and meat or another protein. Summer Meals are offered at hundreds of sites around the state from June to late August, serving combinations of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Meals are free to any child age 18-and-under, no questions asked.

https://www.endhungerct.org/services/summer-meals/ 

Connecticut State Parks and Forests 

Our Connecticut State Parks and Forests offer plenty of opportunities for families to get outside and participate in exciting outdoor activities.   

Free Museum Passes at Your Public Library

Many Libraries have free passes to our museums. For information about museums, contact your local library.

        Museum Passes | Hartford Public Library 

Family Field Trips

Here is a list of family friendly field trip ideas.  You can filter by a number of categories, including fee or free, subject interest, and grade level.  

CT Field Trip Directory

Connecticut’s No Child Left Inside Initiative

Here is a comprehensive list of summer programs and activities offered throughout the state. This includes employment opportunities for those that are of age.

College/Career Readiness Resources

• School Links - School Links is a new college and career readiness platform that CREC will implement at each secondary school in the fall of 2024. Students and families will have login access to support college/career exploration, SEL, and work-based learning
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) -  NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives
• Connecticut Career Paths -   A guide to career strategies, job advice, education, training,  wages, job descriptions and local, statewide and online resources
• College Board - The College Board is a mission-driven organization representing over 6000 of the world's leading colleges, schools, and other educational organizations to promote college-readiness
• PFLAG - PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies.
• US Bureau of Labor Statistics Latest Numbers - The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a nationally recognized source of career information from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Results - College Results Online (CRO) is an interactive, user-friendly Web tool designed to provide policymakers, counselors, parents, students, and others with information about college graduation rates for nearly any four-year college or university in the country.
• Connecticut Higher Education Trust (CHET) - CHET is dedicated to helping Connecticut families find ways to afford college
• Federal Student Aid Information for Parents
• KHAN Academy -  Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom.
• 211 Connecticut - connects users/callers, at no cost, to critical health and human services in their community