21st Century Academy

Camp SEE

Our fun-filled collaboration with 21st Century Academy started in 2018. This after-school program designed to provide K-12 Northside youth in Minneapolis with academic support and artistic enrichment is led by Pastor Alika Galloway. We have had the privilege of working alongside these future leaders through our summer Camp SEE program.

It’s hard to be something that you can’t envision. Camp SEE gives youth a larger view of what they can realize beyond themselves. Offering an intimate exposure to the profession of architecture and architect’s role in building an equitable environment, the camp mentors and empowers the next generation of energy ambassadors through hands on tours, activities and experiments. In particular, the camp highlights places in the community that use renewable energy and shows their correlation to broader environmental impacts. The camp helps scholars learn about their environmental footprint, designing with renewable energy and principals of sustainable neighborhoods with an emphasis on sketching, modeling and team building. A special focus on math and word problems is also incorporated into projects as many of the scholars are one to two grade levels behind in math. Regardless of whether they pursue a career in architecture, this life essential skill is critical to graduating and Camp SEE has made math relevant and fun. Building these narrow and deep relationships with youth makes a tangible difference in exposure to the profession where less than .04% of practitioners are African American women. 

The theme of this year’s camp is “Belonging in a Woonerf Wonderland.” Because there is inherent value in the adaptation and reuse of community assets like public common space, our camp will focus on how design, community engagement and culture can improve equity and quality of life. Public space can be used in service to community supporting mutually beneficial offerings, activities, and programs and creating a sense of belonging. How can we make ordinary common spaces into extraordinary Woonerf Wonderlands? Our scholars will explore this Dutch concept of “Street for Living” to design belonging spaces where pedestrians, bicyclists and play can happen in an urban common space.

Designing for Equity

• Engaging with communities to design solutions that have a positive impact on their people and populations

• Use projects to influence policy changes that have a positive impact on the community.

Dates: 2018 - Present
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Photos:  Alicia Belton

Equity — .04% of practitioners are African American women.

— This balance of climate understanding and math skills is critical because Minnesota ranks last in the nation for graduating African American high school students within four years.