This summer, Clay County Schools’ Summer Camp transported students into the world of medieval times, engaging rising 1st through 6th graders in six weeks of enrichment, educational field trips, and team-building activities. In addition to the creative and academic components of the program, Project AWARE played a vital role in supporting students’ social-emotional development.
As part of the camp’s enrichment offerings, Project AWARE implemented the Second Step Curriculum to provide structured Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons throughout the summer. Students participated in interactive sessions focused on recognizing and understanding their emotions, developing healthy coping strategies, and setting personal and academic goals. These skills helped reinforce positive behavior, build self-confidence, and promote a supportive peer environment.
The SEL component was led by Dr. Angela Walker, Ed.D., a Student Support Specialist through Project AWARE and a Special Education teacher in Clay County Schools for the past eight years. With advanced expertise in Special Education and Autism, Dr. Walker created a nurturing space where students could explore real-world social situations and practice emotional regulation in a fun, age-appropriate way.
By weaving SEL into summer programming, Clay County Schools—through the support of Project AWARE—continues to foster the emotional resilience and well-being of its students, preparing them for a successful start to the 2025–2026 school year.
