Ellipsis Creates Space for Connection, Growth and Confidence During the Summer

The rhythm and structure of a young person’s daily life can change significantly from the school year to the summer months. For youth at Ellipsis, that shift creates room for something important. It gives them more time and space to practice life skills, engage with the community, and learn and grow in ways that support their individual needs and goals.

While learning looks different during the summer, progress never pauses on our campuses. For those who are working through trauma, instability or other challenges, this time of year offers meaningful opportunities to try new things, connect with others and keep their momentum going into the next school year.

Learning at a Personalized Pace 

Summer programming begins with the understanding that each person on our campus has different needs and goals.

Youth who are credit deficient participate in summer school. The schedule at Ellipsis can be shorter than a traditional program, with end dates depending on course load and effort.

“It’s really based on what they need,” said Jeff Jansen, program director of residential programs at Ellipsis. “Some kids might have one class they need to catch up on and are done in a couple days, and others might work through multiple areas and get as much done as they can in 10 days.”

This individualized approach reflects how Ellipsis supports the young people in its care throughout the year. Progress is measured by treatment plans and each person’s effort and readiness for the next step rather than a data point or generic timeline.

How New Experiences Can Build Confidence

With a shift in responsibilities, summer also creates more opportunities to explore our community. Depending on the day, that might mean visiting the Science Center of Iowa, Living History Farms or the Blank Park Zoo. It might include bowling, roller skating or mini golf. A movie or a walk around Gray’s Lake can be part of our programming as well.

While these activities are fun, they are also purposeful. Experiences like these give youth a chance to interact with others in social settings, learn expectations for behavior in different environments, practice managing emotions when things doesn’t go as planned and build confidence in unfamiliar situations.

“It’s the socialization piece that really provides a lot of growth during the summer,” said Jeff. “A lot of our kids haven’t had the chance to do ‘normal’ things kids should be able to have access to growing up. So we’re trying to create positive experiences and help them feel more confident for when they’re out on their own.”

Sometimes growth starts quietly. A young person may be hesitant to join the group or try something out their comfort zone. But after seeing others return from an outing excited and talking about what they did, that hesitation — and the behaviors that may have held them back — can begin to fade.

“You see some kids who are really introverted and don’t want to do much,” said Jeff. “Then they get out into the community. After they’ve tried a few new things, you can see them kind of come out of their shell a little bit by the end of the summer and become more social, more themselves around others.”

For those who are unable to leave campus, staff members facilitate meaningful and engaging activities such as basketball, arts and crafts, outdoor games, water balloons, and other structured opportunities to stay active, connected and involved.

The goal is to create an environment where kids can continue being kids while building essential life skills, relationships, trust in themselves and others, and confidence.

Summer Is a Season for Moving Forward

Summer can be both fun and challenging. It’s full of unfamiliar experiences and important growth. Through education, community outings, structured activities, assistance with finding a summer job and individualized support, Ellipsis helps youth continue making progress while school is out of session.

Sometimes that progress means passing a summer school class. And sometimes, it starts with something as simple as going to the movies for the first time.