This summer has provided the same momentum as summers in the past. Our efforts, once again offer youth an

opportunity to become engaged in not only in programming that will effect their community, but provides the

same level of training integrating technology.

VIRTUAL TRAILS - Students are exploring the Civil War Defenses of Washington, DC. These defenses sit on

forested hills as remnants of a complex system of Civil War fortifications. As the youth explore, they are learning

about these structures, that are now maintained by the National Park Service. This summer, the students will identify,

visit, photograph and present their reports about the sites visited as a start to our development of these virtual trails.

STEPS 2 SUCCESS - This summer module has two focuses; Service Learning and our first youth talent show.  Each week,

students visit and volunteer with the Stoddard Baptist Nursing Home.  Students provide their time and service to

assist the residents in areas from recreation to administration.  Summer Participants are also actively setting up

a motivational, youth focused outlet.  "Focus on Success" Summer Talent Show is to identify a variety of youth

talent that exists in Washington, DC.  Auditions tapes and applications will be collected on Thursday, July 21, 2010 

at the Florida Avenue Baptist Church Educational Building from 5:30pm - 8:00pm.  The talent show is scheduled to 

take place on Thursday, August 12, 2010 location TBA.  There are many great things expected for the show which 

will be unveiled within the upcoming week.

YOUNG URBAN ENTREPRENEURS - Once again, Technology Playground collaborated with the office of the DC

Department of Small and Local Business to help host their summer Youth Entrepreneur Biz Camp.  The camp

currently has 10 High School Youth enrolled from the Washington, DC area.  These students are developing

their own individual businesses based on their creativity, identification of need and/or use of their unique knowledge

to a certain skill.  These students are:

Lawrence "Cole" Jenkins - Atsume

Justin Johnson - Dead Phoenix Studios

Erica Thompson - Erica's Babysitting Service

Kiara Hunt - Fantasy World

Julian Ozier - Imperial Construction

Cecilia Carpenter - Jingles Essentials

Ryan Harding - K.O. Boxing Services

Sindy Leon - Leon's Cleaning Service

Nnenna Onwukwe - Panda World

Gregory Cunningham - Teen Escape

Their Business Plan Competition is scheduled for August 6th where the winner has a chance to win $1000 prize.  More detail will be presented within the upcoming week.