Uniqueness is key to Project THINK, a summer enrichment program for children from preschool age through eighth grade held in Claremont, CA. Project THINK offers an eclecticism of subjects, including computers, art history and appreciation, language arts, performing arts and science to children third grade through junior high age. Another class, “Think Tank” challenges children with brain teasers and conundrums which tax the higher levels of thinking. Together, these subjects form the core of the morning program from 8:30am-12:00pm. The teachers collaborate to create curriculum that follows a specific theme for the summer.

“Young Thinkers,” children of kindergarten to second grade age, enjoy a variety of manipulative experiences from all areas of the curriculum. These experiences are geared to expose youngsters to the world around them and prepare them for their future education. Teachers apply the State Standards to the current theme in all learning experiences.

For students who wish to spend the whole day at Project THINK, the directors offer noontime supervision and choices of afternoon programs. The afternoon classes which include a choice of Computers, Spanish, Swimming (with instruction), Drama, or Visual and Performing Arts provide an additional educational and engaging experience. Credentialed teachers as well as talented assistants compose the staff. Few, if any summer enrichment programs offer such a variety of learning activities, from such a proficient group of educators.

Distinctive to Project THINK is the variety of professionals who sprinkle a stardust of real life experiences over the program. From Dr. Sugerman, who brings real brains, skeletons and MRI film to the science program, to Tony Webner who brings actors and actresses to delight the budding dramatists during the fine arts classes, our visitors have been quite varied. Laurel Erickson, a Channel 4 news reporter, zoologists with live specimens, and Sally Ride’s sister, as well as the mother of a local Olympic swimmer have visited our young enthusiasts. An order of costumed medieval zealots have brought their skills and crafts to the program, involving the children in hands-on activities of a by-gone era. These people, along with many other unique and interesting guests, have spurred the interest of children and led them to enjoy a rich variety of activities, and to ultimately contemplate their own future place and purpose in the world.

Thirty years of growth from the original twelve children to the now over three hundred who enroll in Project Think each summer have brought more and more ideas and inspiration to the program. Improving the program, constantly reaching out to find enthusiastic and capable teachers as well as inspired and brilliant guest speakers, is the intent of Project THINK founders and directors Kay Conley and Dr. Susan Warren. It is their aim to expose children to the best of a wide variety of enriching activities during the short two three-week sessions of Project THINK.