CONNECTICUT — Sparkler Learning teamed up with the CT Office of Early Childhood and 211 Child Development today to launch Camp Sparker, a free, eight week, virtual summer camp for families with children five and under in Connecticut. Starting today — July 3, 2023 — families will find a weekly lineup of stories and activities throughout the summer. Each week, families will find a story told by someone from the culture where it originated, as well as a lineup of off-screen, play-based learning activities for parents and children to play together. Families can access Camp Sparkler via Sparkler’s free mobile app, which is available for iOS and Android, smartphones and tablets. Families will receive digital badges for participation; the 100 families who participate the most throughout Camp Sparkler will get gift cards.

“We are excited to offer this free, virtual summer learning program to children and families across Connecticut,” said Dana Stewart, Director of Education at Sparkler. “We can’t wait to take an imaginary trip around the world with Connecticut families this summer — all thanks to the power of stories!”

“Sparkler gives parents, grandparents, and all caregivers in Connecticut an easy way to better understand and celebrate a young child’s development and tap into resources, if needed, in one place,” said Lisa Tepper Bates, President and CEO of the United Way of Connecticut. “United Way of Connecticut/211 Child Development is pleased to partner with Sparkler to serve as a resource to parents for information and answers about your child’s healthy development. Parents can connect with us via Sparkler, or directly by calling 211.”

Camp Sparkler starts the week of July 3, 2023 and runs through the week of August 21. In order to participate, families need to download the Sparkler app from the Google Play store or Apple App Store and register with a local Connecticut program code or the access code CT. Any Connecticut family with a child five and under will be enrolled and able to participate as much as they want. 

Families will earn a Seed Badge for their first completed Camp Sparkler play each week, a Sprout Badge for two plays in a week, a Leaf Badge for three plays in a week, and a Blossom Badge for five plays in a week. Gift card prizes will be awarded to the 100 eligible families who participate the most throughout the summer program. In order to be eligible for prizes and badges, families must press “We Did It” after completing an activity and submit a photo of each completed activity via Sparkler.

Here is the lineup of the weekly stories: 

• Week 1, July 3-9: The First Fire, a Cherokee story (North America)

• Week 2, July 10-16: The Two Frogs Who Hop Between Osaka and Kyoto, a Japanese story (Asia)

• Week 3, July 17-23: How the Beetle Got Her Gorgeous Coat, a Brazilian story (South America) 

• Week 4, July 24-30: The Enormous Turnip, a Russian story (Europe)

• Week 5, July 31-Aug 6: The Empty Pot, a Chinese story (Asia) 

• Week 6, Aug 7-13: Why the Cheetah’s Cheeks are Stained with Tears, a Zulu story (Africa)

• Week 7, Aug 14-20: The Rainbow Serpent, an Aboriginal Australian story (Australia)

• Week 8, Aug 21-27: Now it’s YOUR turn! Let’s tell stories! (Global)

Camp Sparkler will help families grow children’s skills through hands-on, play-based learning. The play activities will help families support their children’s developing hearts, minds, bodies, and words. Activities will help families work on social and emotional skills like self regulation; early math and literacy skills; problem solving and memory; and fine and gross motor skills.

Families who sign up for Camp Sparkler are welcome to access all of Sparkler, including free developmental screening using the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®. Families who have questions or concerns about their children’s development can use the app to engage with care coordinators at 211 Child Development who can answer questions and connect them with needed answers or local resources. In Connecticut, Sparkler is funded by the State’s Office of Early Childhood to offer statewide developmental screening and support to families with children 0-5 and to programs serving children in that age range.

Learn more about Camp Sparkler: https://playsparkler.org/campsparkler23/ 

Learn more about the CT Office of Early Childhood: https://www.ctoec.org/ 

Learn more about 211 Child Development: https://cdi.211ct.org/ 

Press Contacts: 

For Sparkler: news@playsparkler.org 

For OEC: Maggie Adair, maggie.adair@ct.gov