How is the Vacamas SES program structured?

The Vacamas SES program is offered in three ways giving parents a "true choice" of academic tutoring.

• Vacamas offers a Winter Weekend SES Program component at our camp facility in West Milford, New Jersey. During the academic school year, students receive six hours of academic assistance for up to 9 weekends at our Labadorf Conference Center at Camp Vacamas.
• Vacamas offers an SES summer sleep away camp program at one of our camp facilities during the month of July during which your child will receive up to 60 hours of free academic tutoring.
• Vacamas may be able to implement an SES after-school program in your child's school and offer free tutoring services twice a week during after-school hours

For more information about Vacamas' Supplemental Education Services please contact our SES Coordinator at camp-ses@vacamas.org or call us at 973-725-3582.

What makes Vacamas different from other SES providers?

Our commitment to hands-on education makes learning come alive for children. At Camp Vacamas, our students participate in every aspect of the learning process using our 230 private wooded acres as their classroom.

• They learn about ecosystems by studying the living things in our Camp environment.
• They learn to add, subtract, multiply and divide while making cookies in our Creative Kitchen.
• They perfect their language arts skills by composing newsletters and performing in plays.
• They improve problem-solving skills on our ropes course.
• They improve their self-esteem by setting and achieving personal and academic goals.

What Vacamas SES offers:

Small group (5 to 1 ratio) and individual instruction for children in grades K-12.

• Comprehensive programs in Language Arts, Reading, Science and Math.
• State-certified teachers and experienced instructors and counselors
• Weekend and summer programs, including free transportation to and from our camp facilities.
• Monthly progress reports for parents.
• Hands-on programs which help children to better understand concepts.
• Excellent facilities, including a high and low ropes course, 35 acre lake, library, creative kitchen and climbing walls.
• Close collaboration with your child's classroom teacher to ensure that your child's educational needs are being met.
• Over 80 years of experience in experiential education for youngsters.

2011-2012 SES Weekend Dates:

• 2011: Nov. 19-20, Dec. 3-4
• 2012: Jan. 14-15, Jan. 28-29, Feb. 18-19, Mar. 3-4, Mar. 24-25 , Apr. 21-22, May 5-6

Answers to frequently asked questions about SES

1. What is SES?

"Supplemental educational services are additional academic instruction designed to increase the academic achievement of students in schools in need of improvement." These services may include academic assistance such as tutoring, remediation and other educational interventions, provided that such approaches are consistent with the content and instruction used by the local educational agency (LEA) and are aligned with the State's academic content standards. Supplemental educational services must be provided outside of the regular school day. Supplemental educational services must be high quality, research-based, and specifically designed to increase student academic achievement ."
- U. S. Department of Education

2. Who is Eligible?

The Supplemental Educational Services (SES) program is funded through the “No Child Left Behind Act” which is aimed at providing free tutoring to children who attend schools which have been designated “in need of improvement.” If your child attends a school in need of improvement and is eligible for the free or reduced lunch program, then he or she can receive free tutoring under the SES program.

3. How Do I Apply?

It is the responsibility of your child’s school district to mail you information on the SES program and to supply you with a list of providers. If you would like your child to participate in the Vacamas program, you must select Vacamas as your preferred provider. Once you have selected Vacamas as your SES provider, you will have the opportunity to meet with the Vacamas staff, as well as a representative from the school district in order to design and schedule your child’s tutoring experience.

QUESTIONS?

For more information about our SES Programs, please contact our SES Coordinator at 973-725-3582, or camp-SES@vacamas.org.