183337312_3972376092817209_5518783319048203836_n

Pick-Me-Up

Parents see what one of our Keys 2 Life Sponsors (Max & Marjorie Fisher Foundation) had to say about our last year’s summer camp.
At The Yunion’s “Keys 2 Life” summer camp program, Detroit youth spent their long, warm days engaged in performing arts activities that were both inspiring and engaging, even on a screen.
Like nearly all performing arts organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Yunion was forced to vastly re-imagine the camp’s model of engagement.
Leaders were almost certain the camp would have to pause all in-person arts programming, or worse, be closed altogether. “We honestly were not sure if a ‘virtual camp’ would really work,’’ said Nicole Wilson, Executive Director of The Yunion.
Even for an organization steeped in creative thinking, the challenges of pivoting the camp and the online learning curve were considerable. Even still, the “team presented some wonderfully creative ideas that really tapped into the fun of camp,” Wilson said. The end result was a four-week virtual camp for musical and artistic youth ages 11 to 17.
Part of The Yunion’s creative pivot included incorporating elements such as daily live “pick-me-up” sessions designed to engage students personally before breaking into small groups. Campers also had their pick of opportunities to study acting, beatmaking, songwriting, orchestral string music, and dance.
What looked like certain doom turned into a moment of reinforced purpose, one likely to continue guiding The Yunion as it plans its summer camp programs for years to come. The creative community that The Yunion has built is one of energy and resilience.
“Gathering as a family looks different in the face of our new adversities,’’ Keys 2 Life camp leaders told youth and parents, “but it is still as essential as it has always been to connect with people for support.’’
If you’d like to hear more about our camp visit us at www.keys2lifesummercamp.com

Parents, Did You Know?

July 22, 2021

Michigan does not mandate sex education, but it does mandate HIV/AIDS education. If sex education is provided, it must stress abstinence, include information on the importance of sex only within marriage, negative outcomes of teen sex, avoiding coercion, and healthy decision-making, and be medically accurate…

Read More

Word of The Week: “Respect”

July 21, 2021

Our Keys 2 Life Performing Arts Summer Camp’s “Word of The Week” for week 2 was “Respect” Campers learned how to respect themselves, one another, and those in authority. They enjoy our conversations around what respect looks like to them and how having a lack…

Read More

The Virtual Family Movie Night

July 17, 2021

Good afternoon family and friends, We had an in-person family movie plan for our Keys 2 Life campers and their families but unfortunately due to the rain, we had to make adjustments. Please gather your family and join us for a virtual family movie night…

Read More

Family Movie Night Conclusion

July 17, 2021
Read More

The Great Mentor!

July 17, 2021

A good mentor helps a mentee to make decisions that help them reach their goals. A great mentor builds a mentee’s confidence in a way that less instruction or assurance is needed from others.

Read More

Friday Yunion Parent Check-In

July 16, 2021
Read More

The Development Challenges for Black-led Organizations

July 15, 2021

Our executive director Nicole Wilson was honored to be invited to a discussion regarding funding and leadership development challenges for Black-led organizations, and how these opportunity gaps can be closed. Thank you to The Skillman Foundation for hosting this event and Terry E. Whitfield for…

Read More

Ain’t Too Proud

July 15, 2021

Our special guest last week was Tiffany Frances – a Detroit native who played Josephine in New York Broadway production “Ain’t Too Proud” – an electrifying new musical about the life and times of The Temptations. Last week our acting students had the opportunity to…

Read More

Friday Yunion Parent Check-In Keys 2 Life Field Trip

July 9, 2021
Read More

Field Trip Time

July 9, 2021

Field trip time!!! #Keys2LifeSummerCamp2021

Read More

Achieve Healthy Body Goals

July 7, 2021

Our Keys 2 Life Performance Arts Summer Camp word of the week is “Expectancy”. See what campers are expecting this summer and during camp. “I expect to take my school work to the next level” “Achieve healthy body goals” I expect myself to follow the…

Read More

Expectancy

July 7, 2021

Our Keys 2 Life Performance Arts Summer Camp word of the week is… “Expectancy” – The state of thinking or hoping that something, especially something pleasant, will happen or be the case. See what campers are expecting: “I expect to take my school work to…

Read More

Doubt whom you will, but never yourself

July 7, 2021

“Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.” ~Christian Nestell Bovee #TheYunion #youth #lovingyouth #youthassistance

Read More

First Day of Our Keys 2 Life Virtual Hybrid Performing Arts Summer Camp

July 5, 2021

Today was the first day of our Keys 2 Life Virtual Hybrid Performing Arts Summer Camp. The youth and staff had tons of learning the expectations of the camp, learning the camp culture, and getting to know one another. We look forward to what day…

Read More

Parents The Last Day To Register!

July 4, 2021

Parents, today is the last day to register! Registration closes at 11:59 pm EST. Slots are still available for our Keys 2 Life Performing Arts Summer Camp. Camp Starts Tomorrow July 5th, Monday thru Friday from 11 am-3 pm. All instruction time is virtual and…

Read More

Friday Yuinon Check in

July 2, 2021
Read More

Blog Categories

SEARCH THIS BLOG: