Uncommon Schools launched Camp Uncommon to address an opportunity gap and provide students a chance to live the core values they are taught outside of the structured confines of a traditional school day.

Uncommon’s Chief of Innovation and School Operations and the founder of Camp Uncommon, Josh Phillips, decided to scale the model to serve other schools and students, launching Change Summer.

During our first year as a Change Summer camp in our community, Camp Uncommon served 1,000 campers. This was the camp’s fourth summer serving campers but the official start using the new model.

Change Summer launched its third camp, Camp KIPP DC, in partnership with KIPP DC Public Schools and its fourth camp, Camp Beyond, in collaboration with several charter school partners and served approximately 2,500 campers.

Change Summer launched its fifth camp, Camp Canopy, in partnership with several charter school partners and served over 2,500 campers across all camps.

Change Summer launched S’more Summer, a consulting initiative to help leaders and teams bring more equity, belonging, and the joy of summer to all youth experiences.

Additionally, three of our eligible camps achieved American Camp Association (ACA) Accreditation, demonstrating their commitment to the highest standards of safety, quality, and program excellence.