Spring Forward

2026 Summer Enrichment Camps Recap

Spring Forward, in partnership with the four School Districts offered a five-week summer enrichment camp for students from 23 Elementary schools. Camps welcomed students first through sixth grade and were led by a team of certified teachers and camp counselors.

This year’s camp theme, “Exploring Our Environment: Connect, Respect, Protect” had students venturing into and learning more about local ecosystems across the Quad Cities. Through hands‑on experiences in forests, caves, rivers, ponds, and marshlands, students learned how local habitats function and why they matter. From discovering the unique geology of Maquoketa Caves to studying exploring the Mississippi River aboard the Blue Heron Pontoon Boat at Rock Creek Marina in Camanche, students connected classroom learning to the natural world in meaningful and memorable ways. These experiences helped students build curiosity, confidence, and a deeper respect for the places they call home.

Read Full Report

725

CAMPERS

8

CAMP LOCATIONS

23

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS SERVED

78

SUPPORT STAFF

42

CERTIFIED TEACHERS

69

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Read the 2026 Summer Enrichment Camp School District Reports:

HOURS OF READING & MATH INSTRUCTION PER STUDENT

42+

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING HOURS PER STUDENT

52

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Many thanks to all who were a part of Spring Forward’s biggest and best summer yet, including:

69 COMMUNITY PARTNERS

  • 4H

  • Augustana College

  • Backyard Bowl

  • Ballet Quad Cities

  • Bettendorf Family Museum

  • Bettendorf Public Library

  • Bowlmor Lanes

  • Camp Abe Lincoln

  • Channel Cat Water Taxi

  • Clinton County Conservation (Rock Creek Marina)

  • Common Chord

  • Curious By Nature @ Hauberg Estate

  • Davenport Parks and Recreation

  • East Moline Public Library

  • Figge Art Museum

  • First Tee – Quad Cities

  • First Evangelical Free Church

  • Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois - Quad Cities

  • Grand Canyon University

  • Her Voice Media

  • Illinois DNR

  • Illinois After School Network

  • Iowa State Extension Office

  • Jackson County Conservation (Maquoketa Caves)

  • Johannes Bus Service

  • Journey Live Productions

  • Junior Achievement of the Heartland

  • Legacy Sports

  • Living Lands and Waters

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center

  • Modern Woodmen Park

  • Moline Parks and Recreation

  • Moline Public Library

  • Muscatine Environmental Center

  • Nahant Marsh Education Center

  • Nest Cafe

  • Niabi Zoo

  • Nika Loves Imagination

  • Nourish

  • Putnam Museum and Science Center

  • Quad Cities Botanical Center

  • Quad Cities Canine Assistance Network

  • Quad City Animal Welfare Center

  • Quad City Arts

  • Quad City Conservation Alliance

  • Quad City Symphony Orchestra

  • RARE Raptor Rescue

  • American Red Cross

  • Recre8 Holistic Studio

  • Rock Island County Fair

  • Rock Island County Conservation (Illniwek Park)

  • Rock Island Public Library

  • Rock Island Parks and Recreation

  • Royal Drama Dance

  • Scott County Conservation

  • St. George Greek Orthodox Church

  • Sylvan Island

  • Trinity Lutheran Church

  • University of Illinois Extension

  • US Fish and Wildlife

  • Western Illinois University

  • West End Revitalization

  • Wildcat Den State Park

  • WQPT Public Television

  • Young Lions Roar

  • Bettendorf, East Moline, Moline-Coal Valley, and Rock Island-Milan School Districts

31 UNIQUE FIELD TRIPS

  • Backyard Bowl

  • Bettendorf Family Museum

  • Botanical Center

  • Bowlmor Lanes

  • Camden Park

  • Camp Abe Lincoln

  • Centennial Park Spraygrounds

  • Channel Cat Water Taxi

  • Common Chord

  • Fejervary Park

  • Figge Art Museum

  • Illiniwek Park

  • JA Inspiration Center

  • Living Lands & Waters (@ Sunset Marina)

  • Longview Park

  • Maquoketa Caves

  • Modern Woodmen Park

  • Muscatine Environmental Center

  • Nahant Marsh

  • Niabi Zoo

  • Putnam Museum and Science Center

  • QC Arts

  • Riverside Park

  • Rock Creek Marina

  • Rock Island County Fair

  • Rocket Park

  • Schwiebert Park

  • Scott County Park

  • Sylvan Island

  • White Water Junction

  • Wildcat Den