The Sights and Sounds of Summer

July 1, 2024

students in Paris

Construction, camps, cleaning, community…oh my! One may think that campuses are closed for the year, but many of our schools are bustling with the sights and sounds of summer! Fulcrum is proud to provide financial support for many of these activities throughout Western Washington.

In every region, early childhood and elementary programs offer weekly summer camp sessions proving summer fun and a reliable source of childcare for working parents. At St. John Catholic School in north Seattle, for example, nine weeks of camp are offered with varying summer themes, field trips, activities, arts and crafts, group games, and more. Families can register by the week (or even the day) to support their care needs throughout the school break. The Fulcrum Early Childhood Education Endowment provides support to many of our early learning classrooms for outdoor equipment, playgrounds, and supplies for summer activities.

Schools use the summer months for campus enhancements and facilities projects. Many are mobilizing funds from Fulcrum’s School Partnership Grant Program. These grants provide financial support for curriculum needs, capital projects, innovative projects, and more. Schools throughout the Archdiocese are taking advantage of the summer months for facility updates, deep cleans, and remodels.

Four of our local Catholic schools will be transformed with significant facilities enhancements at this summer through a partnership with Fulcrum and Shea Family Charities. Watch for exciting photos and campus unveilings this fall from St. Anthony School, Renton, St. Therese Catholic Academy, Seattle, Pope St. John XXIII STEM Academy, Tacoma, and Seattle Nativity School, Seattle!

Summer is a great time to serve! Students from 19 of our schools and parishes are participating in the Agape Service Project in Whatcom County. The weeklong middle and high school service-immersion empowers young people to be servant leaders through an encounter with the farmworker community. Through service-learning experiences, students learn about human dignity, issues affecting farmworkers, and why we as Catholics are called to serve.

Time for travel? Students in many of our high schools have unique opportunities to learn about other cultures, experience history firsthand, and practice their language skills through international travel opportunities. A group of Bishop Blanchet Bears are currently exploring the sites of Germany, while Bellarmine Lions are enjoying life in Paris and Seton Cougars are in Thailand!

We hope our 22,000+ students and their families are enjoying a summer of good health, good memories, and renewal. Send your favorite summer photos to Fulcrum (amy.hall@fulcrumfoundation.org) and you may see your #FulcrumSummer on our social media pages!

Student helping migrant worker children
High school students travel to Berlin
Grade schoolers at summer school camp