Students from Oxford Hills School District’s Camp Achieve Summer Program visit Roberts Farm Preserve.

When many people picture summer school, they imagine students sitting at desks, catching up on assignments while their classmates enjoy summer vacation. At Oxford Hills School District (MSAD 17), summer learning looks a lot different.

Serving the communities of Hebron, Norway, Otisfield, Oxford, Paris, Waterford, and West Paris, Oxford Hills School District has developed Camp Achieve, an innovative summer learning program that combines academic support with hands-on experiences, outdoor exploration, and opportunities for students to collaborate. Supported by Title I funds, Maine’s SUN Meals program, and local funding, the multifaceted program is offered at four locations—Guy E. Rowe Elementary School, Oxford Elementary School, Harrison Elementary School, and Paris Elementary School —giving students from kindergarten to grade 6, across the entire district, the opportunity to strengthen their skills while discovering that learning can be meaningful, engaging, and fun.

This summer, students in all locations participated in hands-on learning, classroom activities, field trips, and outdoor exploration, with families engaged along the way and students having access to nutritious meals. The result is a summer program designed to support the whole child—and show students that learning doesn’t have to stop when the school year ends.

Camp Achieve was developed in response to district-level data that showed a need to address summer learning loss in mathematics while creating an experience that students and families would be excited to attend. Since 2024, the Oxford Hills School District has strategically leveraged available federal Title funds, state resources, and community and local resources and agencies to expand learning opportunities, address identified student needs, and strengthen outcomes across its schools. These investments have supported innovative programs and enriching experiences, including the summer learning opportunities, and have also helped schools implement targeted strategies to improve student achievement. As a result of these sustained efforts and investments, the schools that previously required additional support have demonstrated progress and, as of January 2026, no longer require that designation.

This summer, one example of that approach occurred during Camp Achieve, when students visited Roberts Farm Preserve in Norway, Maine, to participate in team-building activities that encouraged collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. More than just a field trip, students often visit the farm for an outdoor experience, which aligns with Camp Achieve’s emphasis on hands-on learning and connects classroom lessons with opportunities to explore and learn together in the community.

After visiting the farm, that same approach is carried into classrooms. While in one classroom, young learners practiced writing letters through interactive literacy activities. Nearby, students explored how plants grow by asking questions and making observations about the natural world. Older students strengthened their multiplication skills through collaborative lessons that encouraged participation and discussion. Across every classroom, students were engaged not because they had to be, but because they were genuinely interested in what they were learning.

“When I was in school, summer school was always kind of like a consequence. This is different,” said Alex Hurteau, a teacher at Guy E. Rowe Elementary. “We’re really trying to make learning engaging and fun.”

Camp Achieve is designed to make learning active. Along with targeted math and reading instruction, students participate in science-based projects centered on life science standards, social-emotional learning through daily morning meetings, and experiences with community partners that extend learning beyond the classroom. Tier II interventions in both mathematics and literacy help students strengthen foundational skills while maintaining the curiosity and excitement that were evident throughout the program.

Oxford Hills School District leaders recognized that while attendance has improved since the pandemic, chronic absenteeism remains a challenge. By creating a summer program centered on exploration, movement, and meaningful experiences, Camp Achieve encourages students to return each day.

Nutrition also plays an important role in supporting students throughout Camp Achieve. Through Maine’s SUN Meals program, students have access to healthy meals each day, helping ensure they are ready to learn and participate in the day’s activities.

In addition to the Camp Achieve summer learning sites, Oxford Hills School District operates meal programs at six additional locations throughout the region and collaborates with local STEM programs to expand access to free, nutritious meals for children and youth. In July this year, they served a total of 7,895 meals across all their meal sites.

Curt Manchester, the school district’s nutrition director and SUN Meal program coordinator, said it best: “We just want to feed as many children as possible.”

Through Maine’s Sun Meals program, other school districts and sponsors in more remote locations offer SUN Meals-to-go, allowing families to pick up meals daily or weekly for their children when community activities are unavailable.

Family engagement is another important part of the program. Teachers connect with families before Camp Achieve begins to learn about their goals for the summer and continue communicating throughout the program via weekly newsletters and through the education platform, Seesaw, which includes updates featuring student work, photos, and ideas for supporting learning at home. Students also take home math games to play with their families, and the program concludes with an open house where they showcase what they have learned over the four weeks.

For students, the experience extends beyond academics. Whether working together during outdoor challenges at Roberts Farm Preserve, investigating science concepts, practicing literacy skills, or solving math problems, they are building friendships, developing confidence, and discovering that learning can be enjoyable.

Camp Achieve demonstrates that school may be out for the summer, but learning does not have to be. By strategically braiding funding sources, partnering with local experts, and connecting classroom instruction with hands-on community experiences, Oxford Hills School District is creating meaningful opportunities for students to stay engaged and strengthen academic skills.

This article was written in collaboration with Oxford Hills School District. To submit a good news story to the Maine DOE, please fill out the good news submission form.

Title I, Part A funds received from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) were reallocated to support the implementation of this project. The project has an award totaling $54,750.31, of which 100% is federally funded and directly attributed to project implementation. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ED or the U.S. government.