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- What is Books 'n Hoops?
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Since 1999, Inner-City Teaching Corps (ICTC) has run the Books ‘n Hoops Program, a powerful development experience that focuses on leadership, self-esteem, effective communication, and issues of diversity. The young women and men involved are mentored and coached throughout high school to develop an awareness of their overall potential as student, athlete, citizen and young adult. Each summer, all Books ‘n Hoops participants engage in an in-residence program on the St. Xavier University campus that blends academics, character education and basketball. There is one week that is dedicated to the boys and one week dedicated to the girls. These students are invited to return each summer as they continue their development through high school.
A generous donor has made it possible for us to help all 4-year Books ‘n Hoops completers who are college bound with a partial scholarship for their four years in college. In their four years in Books ‘N Hoops, students come to realize that college is a goal that is both attainable and requires personal sacrifice. The purpose of this scholarship is to reduce the financial burden on the student and family, to reduce student work-study hours that are often a part of a financial aid package, and to provide more time to focus on academics. We at ICTC believe in empowering children through education, and are excited to offer this opportunity to our Books ‘n Hoops graduates.
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- Who goes to Books 'n Hoops?
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The campers are motivated graduates of inner-city, Catholic elementary schools in Chicago (all targeted schools are supported by the Big Shoulders Fund). Campers will be in good academic standing with potential to succeed in high school. They must also have good conduct records, get along socially with their peers, and most importantly, have a desire to engage in a new and different experience. All invited campers would not ordinarily have an opportunity to go to camp at a university. Campers will have an interest and experience in participating in basketball, but do not necessarily have to have advanced skills. The camper is involved in the Books ‘n Hoops program for four years, each summer having the opportunity to return to camp. Books ‘n Hoops follows each camper throughout their high school experience.
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- Is it possible for my son/daughter to attend Books 'n Hoops if they are not at one of your partner schools?
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ICTC distributes applications to our partner schools. We only have enough scholarships for 30 rising freshmen in each camp, so we cannot expand beyond this number. However, these 30 scholarships are not always filled by the application deadline. In order for a student from an “outside” school to be considered for Books ‘n Hoops, you would need to complete a wait list application and return it to our offices by the designated deadline. If there are any openings, we will then contact you and let you know that your child has been admitted to the camp.
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- What is the application process for a camper?
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As a part of the camper nomination/application or the waitlist application, you will be sent a packet asking you to include on separate sheets of paper the following information:
A Camper Intent Form completed by the camper and signed by her/his parent(s)/guardian(s).
A Medical/Parental Consent Form completed by both the camper and parent(s)/guardian(s).
A $30.00 registration fee from parent/guardian: check or money order made out to “Inner-City Teaching Corps”.
All completed materials will then need to be mailed together to our offices by the deadline. The Inner-City Teaching Corps reserves the right to approve all camper nominations.
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- How many students are part of the summer experience?
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Approximately 60 students participate in each summer week, one week for boys and one week for girls.
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- Who can be a counselor? How do you apply if you want to be one?
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If you are interested in being a counselor, simply contact our offices or email booksnhoops@ictc-chicago.org to inquire about receiving an application. All applications must be received by the first Friday in May.
General Requirements for All Counselors:
18-29 years of age
COMMITMENT TO SERVICE: Your full commitment is needed for the position that you agree to fulfill. This includes the Counselor Preparation day on the Saturday before the Camp.
HIGH LEVEL OF LEADERSHIP AND MOTIVATION: It is essential that you are willing to uphold the integrity of the Books ‘n Hoops Program and St. Xavier University through your leadership and communication throughout the week.
APTITUDE FOR WORKING WITH YOUTH: You are a role model at all times for these impressionable campers. We are an alcohol and drug free camp at all times.
Job Descriptions:
Full-Time Counselor
24 hour commitment; Saturday – Friday
Help with academic sessions, co-coach a team, motivate campers, and assist the other counselors throughout the week
Part-Time Counselor (Created for people who have other jobs, are taking classes or have other time commitments that prevent them from being at the camp 24 hours a day.)
With your application, please include a separate sheet listing the specific days and times you are available to help with the academic sessions, coach, or assist the other counselors throughout the week.
Presenter (Can also be done while you are also serving as a counselor.)
Create and present an evening discussion or morning academic area. (Presentations in the past have been about race, high school responsibility, self-esteem, and motivation for college.)
With your application, please include a description of the topic and basic outline for the presentation that you would like to make. ICTC reserves the right to approve all presentation material.
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- Where and when does the summer in-residence portion of the Books 'n Hoops Program take place?
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Books ‘n Hoops takes place in July at the St. Xavier University campus on the South Side of Chicago. Students use the dorms, eating facilities, classrooms, computer labs and athletic facilities at the university.
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- Is there a cost?
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Through the generosity of a dedicated support team, all campers attend the Books ‘n Hoops Program on a full-tuition scholarship, minus a $30.00 registration fee from the participant’s family to secure their spot.
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- What is the schedule of the program?
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The Summer Experience
The Books ‘n Hoops summer week is organized into different integrated segments to provide an entire motivating experience. The program follows a yearly theme that embodies hope and achievement. Students are asked to read a short novel prior to the summer week that speaks to the theme. This theme is also planned into and carried throughout the week activities at Books ‘n Hoops.
2007 theme: The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. (Nelson Mandela)
A typical day at Books 'n Hoops looks as follows:
Breakfast
Morning reflection
Academic classes: taught by St. Xavier University staff and other noted presenters, in such topics as study skills, public speaking, computer literacy, and college preparation.
Lunch
Guest speaker: such as a college coach, comes to teach about basketball and life achievement skills.
Basketball skill development and games
Dinner
Evening development discussion: on such topics as self-esteem, sexuality, racism, and drug and alcohol awareness.
Throughout the week, each camper is a part of a team of five to seven other campers. Working together, they seek to earn points for such things as classroom participation, arriving to sessions on time, and teamwork. Each team is led by counselor/mentors who are either current or former teachers in the Archdiocese of Chicago schools. These mentors/coaches model for the camper ways in which to be successful in the classroom, on the court, and in life.
Students stay at camp from Sunday afternoon to Friday afternoon. Each morning there are academic classes. The curriculum is different for each grade level. Rising freshman classes focus on high school preparation (study skills, time management, setting goals, etc.). Sophomores focus on peer relationships and creating a power point presentation. Juniors and seniors focus heavily on college preparation (choosing a college, essay writing, interview skills, and financial aid information.)
In the afternoon, campers play basketball with their team in friendly competition of 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 tournaments. Dynamic encouraging counselors - most of who are Chicago teachers, coach the teams.
In the evening, campers participate in some kind of nightly talk focusing on a book read by the whole camp or a discussion related to the theme of the camp.
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