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Temple University’s commitment to education is year-round. 

A new summer camp honoring the memory of a Fox School of Business alumnus is offering local middle school students a glimpse at their future. 

Stanley’s Sport Camp, an educational, wellness and athletics initiative fueled by university partnerships and resources, is made possible through a generous gift by donor Jennifer Merves Robbins. Her gift honors her family and late father, Dr. Stanley Merves who earned his undergraduate accounting degree from the Fox School in 1951 and has an honorary doctorate degree from Temple. 

This summer, more than two dozen seventh graders participated in a range of activities at the university’s Main Campus. Their schedules included time in the classroom, participation in sports and lessons in health, nutrition and wellness. 

“Jennifer shared with us that her father would want the camp to combine learning, leadership development and health/wellness education with her father’s love for Temple athletics,” says Debbie Campbell, of the university’s Office of Community Impact and Civic Engagement.  

Campbell worked with Merves Robbins, the Fox School, Temple Athletics, the Gilroy and Lillian P. Roberts Charitable Foundation and other university partners to oversee development and programming for the camp. 

“Development of the camp and its programming was a cross-collaborative effort between many parties, both across campus and across the city,” she says. “I’m proud of the work we accomplished to make this inaugural year of the camp a success and to ensure it will continue for years to come.” 

Heights Philadelphia, a nonprofit organization in Philadelphia dedicated to ensuring academic and career success for city youth, was an integral partner for the educational elements of the camp.  

Classroom lessons focused on traditional common core courses like English and math while also introducing students to career exploration courses in areas including the medical profession, digital arts, entrepreneurship, architecture and engineering.  

“Many programs only allow students to learn about math and English, which are both critical. However, this program also offers kids the chance to learn about job and career opportunities, particularly ones in fields such as medicine or engineering, which is incredibly inspiring, particularly in college campus setting,” says Chris Avery, vice president of program strategy and partnerships at Heights. 

The camp also gives participants a pathway to the Temple Future Scholars Program. The program, also supported by Heights, is designed to provide pre-college students with more accessible, supportive opportunities to reach their potential and pursue higher education.  

“Programming like Stanley’s Camp can really have a profound impact on the outcomes for youth in our surrounding communities,” Avery says.  

“Temple has really been a leader in showcasing its commitment to youth education within our city and Heights has enjoyed its longstanding partnership with the university.  We’re proud to contribute to the development and execution of Stanley’s Sport Camp.” 

The campers not only benefited from classroom activities, there was also a lot of time spent just having fun while learning how to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. 

Campers spent several hours each day connecting with over a dozen Temple athletic teams and programs. Coaches and athletes taught students about health and wellness, stressing the importance of being active. The campers had the opportunity to learn about and participate in specific sports including track and field, tennis, field hockey, rowing, volleyball, gymnastics, soccer, fencing, lacrosse, basketball and dance. 

Additional lessons in food and nutrition were provided through the Vetri Cooking Lab, led by famed Philadelphia chef Marc Vetri’s “Vetri Community Partnership.”  

Vetri’s team visited several times during the camp to provide students with education on healthy eating habits and cooking demonstrations through their Mobile Teaching Kitchen. 

Utilizing fresh, nutritious and accessible ingredients like fruits and vegetables, kids were taught recipes, practiced kitchen techniques and taste-tested a variety of the food being used. The team focused on the types of foods the campers were most interested in and helped them create kid-friendly meals including smoothies. 

Fox School of Business Dean Chip Hunter believes initiatives like this camp will have lasting benefits for both the participants and the local community.

“Stanley’s Sport Camp is not only a great way to honor the legacy of an alumnus, but it gives Fox the opportunity to engage with our campus neighbors in a meaningful way,” he says. “Community impact is an important piece of Temple’s emerging strategic plan and the Fox School is excited to support President Fry in this effort.”

Merves Robbins looks forward to seeing the camp run annually as a way of continuing her father’s support of his alma mater.

“Temple meant the world to my father, and he would tell you that the education he gained here truly made his life,” Merves Robbins says.