Upcoming Events

Academies of Excellence will be offering its Spring Forward Camp – March 15-21 2009 At Camp Summit near Lewisville

 

Academies of Excellence Programs
The Open Doors Foundation is the supporting organization for Academies of Excellence which offers three major programs.

Spring Forward Camp - [download brochure] [online application]
March 15-21 marks the fourth year that The Academies of Excellence Spring Forward Leadership Camp will be held at Camp Summit outside Lewisville!

The camp focuses on leadership, character and service for its themes. Camp activities include leadership skill development with specific activities to develop an understanding of leadership. Self awareness and sports activities develop character and help children understand and develop personal values. Each camp includes a talent show and community service project to help children understand the concept of service to others.

Children ages 8 to 14 years of age are encourage to eligible to apply. We are interested in accepting children that are already participating in a mentoring program or have been to one of our past Spring Forward Camps. We partner with the following organizations: Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Villas of Sorrento Apartments, American Housing Foundation, Pleasant Village Apartments, Nash/Davis Recreational Center, and Dallas Housing Authority.

Because of our ongoing partnership with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of North Texas, at least 3/4 of our participants are presently matched with a positive adult mentor. This has allowed the immediate impact of our camp to be felt long after the final camp goodbyes are shared! Camp is only the beginning of a journey of hope with The Open Doors Foundation and Academies of Excellence.

Taking It to the Streets Monthly Programs are provided as a follow-up to the camp program. It is a leadership program with volunteer and community service projects, weekend activities with mentors and other adults, and other types of leadership programming. This program is designed to empower and educate participants in the following areas:

- life skills
- coping skills
- spiritual formation
- career exploration
- and recreation
Thanks to our much appreciated activity volunteers that have been doing a great job at our monthly events! Partnering organizations:

Dallas Urban League of Young Professionals (www.dulyp.org)
Dallas Housing Authority (www.dhadal.com)
Innovative Urban Educational Services (www.ieseducation.org)
Mentoring Brother 2 Brother (www.mb2b.org)
Imagine Dallas (www.imaginenationconference.org)
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of North Texas (www.bbbs.org)

Bringing It Home
Academies of Excellence offers four weekend programs for the parents of our program participants. The weekend programs provide an opportunity for the parents and guardians of children to participate in parenting workshops, learn more how to build leadership, character and service skills within youth and provide a support group for parents raising youth in today’s world.