Coastal Carolina University will host more than 50 Horry County 5th grade students during the annual Summer Ethics Academy for Jackson Junior Scholars, sponsored by CCU’s Jackson Family Center for Ethics and Values. The camp seeks to foster students’ moral development and sense of ethical responsibility. SC Humanities sponsored the program through a Major Grant in September 2007.
Two week-long camp sessions will take place in July. Camp activities include discussions and games involving the use of moral principles, the resolution of ethical dilemmas, and sessions on topics such as lying, violence, bullying, and the Golden Rule. The student participants are selected by their teachers and principals based on such criteria as: well-developed social and communication skills and the potential to serve as role models to their peers. With parental permission, the graduates of the Summer Ethics Academy will be evaluated throughout the 2008-2009 school year to assess the success of the camp in teaching ethical decision-making.
Horry County elementary schools that are represented at the camp include: Conway, Forestbrook, Homewood, Kingston, Myrtle Beach, Socastee, North Myrtle Beach, Pee Dee, Lakewood, South Conway, Palmetto Bays, Seaside, Carolina Forest, Ocean Bay, and Waccamaw.
Randy Akers, Executive Director of SC Humanities, said, “It is encouraging to see young people study ethics as they prepare to be leaders in middle school and high school. One thing we learn from the humanities is that decision making and integrity are important for any generation.”
The full press release created by Coastal Carolina University can be found here. To learn more about the Jackson Family Center for Ethics and Values at Coastal Carolina University, please follow the link.
The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. SC Humanities programs and initiatives are balanced, reflecting sensitivity to the diversity of ideas, encourage open dialogue, demonstrate integrity, and are ethical in operations.