✨ The G.O.A.T.S. of YES: Growing leaders today, creating greatness for tomorrow. ✨

At YES, we believe every student has the potential to be great! That's why our theme for the year is The G.O.A.T.S. of YES—a celebration of students who are committed to becoming the Greatest Of All Time Scholars. 📚🏆

What makes a GOAT? It starts with five powerful actions that guide everything we do:

🌱 G – Grow through learning, leadership, and new experiences.

💪 O – Overcome challenges with determination, resilience, and a positive mindset.

🎯 A – Achieve goals by working hard and staying focused on success.

🚀 T – Try new things, take healthy risks, and never be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone.

🏅 S – Succeed academically, socially, and personally while helping others do the same.

Being a GOAT isn't about being the best person in the room—it's about becoming the best version of yourself! 🙌🏾 Throughout the YES Program, students will have opportunities to develop leadership skills 👑, strengthen their academic abilities 📖, serve their community 🤝, and build meaningful relationships with their peers ❤️.

As our scholars embrace the GOATS mindset, they will learn that success is not defined by a single moment but by a commitment to continuous growth and perseverance. 🌟 We are excited to watch our students Grow, Overcome, Achieve, Try, and Succeed as they become the G.O.A.T.S. of YES! 🐐💚

OHMS YES Summer Camp 2026: 

Learning, Leadership, and Lasting Memories

This summer, Oak Hill Middle School's YES Summer Camp 2026 provided students with an engaging experience filled with hands-on learning, creativity, leadership, and unforgettable memories. Throughout the four-week program, campers participated in STEAM investigations, team-building activities, leadership development, enrichment experiences, and educational field trips that challenged them to think critically while having fun.

One of the highlights of this year's camp was the diverse lineup of STEAM activities. Students explored scientific and engineering concepts through engaging lessons including Aluminum Foil Rafts (Buoyancy and Surface Tension), Marshmallow Catapults, Build a Bridge, Sugar Mountain Towers, Moth Camouflage Lab, Toothpick Tower Challenge, Aquarium in a Jar, Grilling, and Build a Kite. Each activity encouraged collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and real-world application of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

While every activity was a success, the grilling experience quickly became the highlight of the summer. For many students, it was their first opportunity to safely prepare and grill food. Campers learned proper grilling techniques while developing confidence, responsibility, teamwork, and practical life skills. Watching students proudly prepare and enjoy the meals they created was one of the most memorable moments of the entire program.

A standout feature of this year's camp was the Leadership Apprenticeship Program, where selected students stepped into leadership roles while learning valuable workforce and career-readiness skills. Apprentices developed customer service, administrative, communication, leadership, and marketing skills through authentic, hands-on experiences. One of their greatest accomplishments was creating and operating the camp's Snack Store. Student leaders designed, marketed, stocked, and managed the store while fellow campers used YES Cash—earned through positive behavior, excellent attendance, and active participation—to purchase snacks throughout the summer. This real-world business experience gave apprentices the opportunity to practice financial responsibility, professionalism, teamwork, and problem-solving in an engaging environment.

Students also participated in exciting weekly challenges that promoted teamwork, creativity, and school spirit. Camp began with Color Wars, where students bonded through team-building and movement activities. During Week 2, campers showcased their creativity through the "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" Michael Jackson Challenge, selecting favorite songs and creating themed performances. Weeks 3 and 4 featured competitive Scavenger Hunts, giving students opportunities to collaborate, solve challenges, and earn points for their teams.

Beyond campus, campers had the opportunity to explore and appreciate the rich history and community of Milledgeville. During a special downtown experience, students patronized several local businesses while learning about the importance of supporting their local economy. They also visited historic landmarks, including the Old Governor's Mansion, where they explored Georgia's history, before enjoying lunch at Georgia College & State University's The MAX. The day became even more memorable as members of the Baldwin County Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Kristina Brooks surprised campers with treats and interactive clues throughout the experience. Campers were also excited to welcome a special visit from YES Director Sequena Moon-Stanton, whose encouragement and support made the day even more meaningful.

Students also enjoyed memorable outdoor adventures and educational field trips. The Outdoor Adventure Challenge encouraged exploration and teamwork across the Oak Hill campus, while the Wild Animal Safari Scavenger Hunt combined learning with excitement as students completed collaborative challenges and searched for bonus opportunities throughout the trip. These experiences strengthened communication, leadership, and critical-thinking skills while creating lasting memories.

Throughout the summer, our dedicated teachers and staff created a safe, supportive, and engaging environment where every student had opportunities to grow academically, socially, and personally. Whether engineering a bridge, grilling a meal, leading a business, exploring local history, or solving a scavenger hunt challenge, campers embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm and determination.

As another successful YES Summer Camp comes to a close, we celebrate the incredible students, dedicated staff, supportive families, community partners, and district leaders who made this summer possible. Together, we created an experience that inspired curiosity, strengthened leadership, built confidence, and fostered lifelong skills. We are proud of everything our campers accomplished and look forward to another exciting summer of learning, leadership, and excellence. 

Downtown Scavenger Hunt

Wild Animal Safari

Our camp concluded with an exciting Community & Family Engagement Day, bringing together students, families, staff, and community partners to celebrate an incredible summer of learning, leadership, and growth.

Throughout the event, campers proudly showcased the projects, STEAM activities, and accomplishments they completed during the four-week program, giving families a firsthand look at all they had learned and experienced. Parents also had the opportunity to win exciting door prizes through special raffles held throughout the celebration as a token of appreciation for their continued support and involvement.

The event also featured a Community Resource Fair, where local organizations and community partners hosted informational tables to connect families with valuable programs, services, and opportunities available throughout Baldwin County. Families had the chance to ask questions, gather resources, and build relationships with organizations dedicated to supporting student and family success.

The celebration continued outdoors with bounce houses, water slides, games, and a variety of recreational activities that kept campers active and smiling throughout the afternoon. To top it all off, the Baldwin County Rescue Department generously provided a delicious lunch for all attendees, demonstrating the strong partnerships that help make the YES Program such a success.

Community & Family Engagement Day served as the perfect finale to an unforgettable summer—celebrating student achievement, strengthening family and community connections, and showcasing what can be accomplished when schools, families, and community partners work together. We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who helped make this year's celebration a tremendous success.