The Ram Foundation

The primary objectives of the RAM Summer Enrichment Program are: 1. Assist the Pine Hurst and surrounding communities by offering a safe haven for children during the summer months while parent and guardians are employed or seeking employment. The rationale for this component is to give the students a place to find comfort, support, safety, and fun from 8:00 in the morning to 12:30 in the afternoon. The second component of the program is literacy for the entire family. Efforts assist the students with maintaining learned information from the regular academics term; thus combating the suggested 1/3rd of information lost during the summer months of inactivity (myschools.com). The rationale for this component is to provide time designated for academic interventions as well as other activities aimed at educating the whole child. The third component is wellness. In order to divert the many obstacles that inhibit academic and social growth, particular attention is paid to the physical, social, emotional, and psychological wellness of the students. The RAM program serves only healthy meals and snacks furnished by the Richland School District One Food and Student Nutrition Service Division through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) free snack program. Activities are devised to combat obesity and to improve the conduct of students inside and outside of the school. The rationale for this component is that students will develop healthy eating habits, as we help incorporate the "Let's Move" initiative to fight against childhood obesity and lower the $150 billion spent treating obesity-related illnesses each year. The fourth component is exposure to educational, fun opportunities through field trips to museums locally and the surrounding states: North Carolina and Georgia. The rationale for this component is to give the students excursions that will introduce them to elements of society where their awareness is limited.