08/27/2026
The last day of Summer Promise Academy embodied exactly what's so special about the Peter Paul experience.
Campers arrived in their pajamas, ready to snuggle up for a movie with popcorn and candy. But when they gathered in the auditorium, they had a different idea: they wanted to share what they had learned this summer.
So they put on an impromptu talent show.
Some brave campers amazed everyone with their beautiful singing voices. Others performed dance routines they had learned in their Summer Promise classes. Ms. Bailey couldn't resist the chance to test out some new jokes. (Luckily, no one brought any tomatoes from the garden! 🍅😂)
As the show went on, it became clear how much these young people had grown. The confidence they displayed, the encouragement they gave one another, and the joy they shared reflected weeks of learning, trust, and connection. Before long, the talent show had transformed into a karaoke dance party, bringing together campers and teachers from every grade level in a celebration filled with singing, dancing, laughter, and hugs.
Then came the tears.
When Ms. Young and Ms. Samuels distributed handwritten notes and keepsakes to their 3rd and 4th grade campers, the reality of summer's end suddenly settled in. Their students knew these beloved teachers would not be returning for the school year, and the heartfelt messages made that goodbye feel very real. Tears and laughter mixed together as the class shared one final embrace.
This is the Peter Paul experience: students and teachers building relationships that matter, supporting one another through life's transitions, and discovering what it means to belong to a caring community.
The lessons they learned this summer will stay with them long after Summer Promise Academy ends.
You can see more photos from our Summer Promise Academy on Flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCXgTb
