WELCOME TO
Helping Your Child Prepare for Kindergarten
Countdown to Kindergarten is a tuition-free, 8-week summer camp for all Elkhart County families that helps children build the skills they need to start school ready to learn.
Funded by Building Strong Brains, Elkhart County’s Early Childhood Initiative
There are up to 500 seats available across Elkhart County!
What Is Countdown to Kindergarten?
Starting kindergarten is a big step. Countdown to Kindergarten is a summer camp designed to help children feel confident, comfortable, and ready for their first year of school.
Through play-based learning and classroom routines, children build social, emotional, and academic skills in a supportive environment led by experienced early childhood educators.
Application PDF
English
Application PDF
Española
How it works
1.
Complete the online application
Families are encouraged to apply online. After submission, our team will contact you to schedule an in-person appointment to complete the required forms.
2.
Attend the 8-week summer camp
Children attend camp at a participating school location near you. The camp runs from May 26 to July 21, 2026.
3.
Start kindergarten with confidence
Children begin school ready, excited, and prepared to learn.
What Your Child Will Learn
Social skills and teamwork
Confidence and emotional readiness
Early literacy and math foundations
Classroom routines and independence
Camp Details
Length
8 weeks
during the
summer
Dates
Starts: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Ends: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Length
8 weeks
during the
summer
Dates
Starts: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Ends: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost
Tuition-free;
no cost to families in Elkhart County
Eligibility
Children entering kindergarten in Fall 2026
Cost
Tuition-free;
no cost to families in Elkhart County
Eligibility
Children entering kindergarten in Fall 2026
Locations
Schools across
Elkhart County
Meals
Breakfast supplement, lunch, and snack provided
Locations
Schools across
Elkhart County
Meals
Breakfast supplement, lunch, and snack provided
Extended Care
Available as needed
Transportation
Available based on need
Extended Care
Available as needed
Transportation
Available based on need
What You’ll Need to Complete Your Application
To process your application, certain documents and information are required.
After You
Apply Online
Once you submit your online application, please begin gathering the items listed below. A staff member will contact you to schedule an in-person appointment to complete your application and collect documents.
Applying
In Person
If you apply at an Open Enrollment event, please bring all required documents with you.
After You
Apply Online
Once you submit your online application, please begin gathering the items listed below. A staff member will contact you to schedule an in-person appointment to complete your application and collect documents.
Applying
In Person
If you apply at an Open Enrollment event, please bring all required documents with you.
Required Documents & Information
Please bring the following for your child and primary adult:
- Photo ID for the primary adult
- Three emergency contacts
- Names, valid phone numbers, and addresses
Enrollment Events
ELKHART
Hawthorne Elementary
501 Lusher Ave, Elkhart
April 1, May 6,
June 3rd: 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Woodland Elementary
1220 Co Rd 3, Elkhart
April 29, May 20:
3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Baugo School Corporation
Jimtown North
30046 CR 16W, Elkhart
April 9, April 23:
3-5:30 p.m.
May 7: 3 – 5:30 p.m.
June 11, June 18:
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
ELKHART
Hawthorne Elementary
501 Lusher Ave, Elkhart
April 1, May 6, June 3rd: 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Woodland Elementary
1220 Co Rd 3, Elkhart
April 29, May 20: 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Baugo School Corporation
Jimtown North
30046 CR 16W, Elkhart
April 9, April 23: 3-5:30 p.m.
May 7: 3 – 5:30 p.m.
June 11, June 18: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Concord School Corporation
Concord Administration Offices
59040 Minuteman Way,
Elkhart, IN 46517
April 21, May 05: 12 – 3 p.m.
April 28, May 12:
9 am. – 12 p.m.
Concord West Side Elementary
230 W. Mishawaka Rd,
Elkhart, IN 46517
May 26: 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Goshen Community Schools
Goshen Administration Building
613 E Purl St, Goshen
April 16: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
May 14: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m,
May 19: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
June 4: 10 a.m – 2 p.m.
June 10: 1 – 5 p .m.
Concord School Corporation
Concord Administration Offices
59040 Minuteman Way,
Elkhart, IN 46517
April 21, May 05: 12 – 3 p.m.
April 28, May 12: 9 am. – 12 p.m.
Concord West Side Elementary
230 W. Mishawaka Rd,
Elkhart, IN 46517
May 26: 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Goshen Community Schools
Goshen Administration Building
613 E Purl St, Goshen
April 16: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
May 14: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m,
May 19: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
June 4: 10 a.m – 2 p.m.
June 10: 1 – 5 p .m.
Middlebury Public Schools
Jefferson Elementary
18565 CR 20, Goshen
April 22, May 19,
June 2nd: 3 – 5:30 p.m.
York Elementary
13549 IN 120E, Bristol
April 15, May 5: 3 – 5:30 p.m.
Wa-Nee School Corporation
Woodview Elementary
800 E. Woodview Dr, Nappanee
April 22, May 13, May 27:
3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Middlebury Public Schools
Jefferson Elementary
18565 CR 20, Goshen
April 22, May 19,
June 2nd: 3 – 5:30 p.m.
York Elementary
13549 IN 120E, Bristol
April 15, May 5: 3 – 5:30 p.m.
Wa-Nee School Corporation
Woodview Elementary
800 E. Woodview Dr, Nappanee
April 22, May 13, May 27:
3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
FAQs
What is Countdown to Kindergarten?
Countdown to Kindergarten is an 8-week summer readiness program designed to help children prepare for their first year of school. The program focuses on building social-emotional skills, physical readiness, early literacy, and math foundations so children start kindergarten feeling confident and ready to learn.
Who is funding this summer camp?
Countdown to Kindergarten is funded by the Building Strong Brains Coalition, a community initiative of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County, focused on improving early childhood outcomes across the county.
Who operates the summer camp?
The program is built and administered by Head Start, using their experienced early childhood education staff and curriculum. Classes take place at participating school locations across Elkhart County.
How much does the summer camp cost?
There is no cost to families who live in Elkhart County. Countdown to Kindergarten is completely free.
Is there income verification or eligibility testing?
No. There is no means testing and no income verification required. The program is open to all families in Elkhart County with eligible children.
Who is eligible to attend?
Children must be residents of Elkhart County and registered to enter kindergarten in Fall 2026 to participate.
What are the summer camp hours?
The 8-week summer camp runs from Tuesday, May 26 to Tuesday, July 21, 2026
- Countdown to Kindergarten core program:
7:30 AM – 1 PM, Monday through Friday - Extended care for working families
Before- and after-care hours outside of the core program are provided in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County at participating school locations.
Will my child receive meals?
Yes. Meals are provided during the program day.
Is transportation available?
Transportation may be arranged based on family needs. Transportation is provided where necessary to help ensure access for participating families.
Where are the Countdown to Kindergarten sites located?
The summer camp is offered at multiple sites across Elkhart County.
Why is Countdown to Kindergarten needed in Elkhart County?
Kindergarten readiness has been a long-standing challenge in Elkhart County. Recent data shows that as many as 58% of children entering kindergarten were not meeting readiness benchmarks around 2022. Even before the pandemic, the number was high, with 62% of children not fully ready in 2017.
While progress is being made through community initiatives like Building Strong Brains, many children still face barriers that impact early learning success. Countdown to Kindergarten helps close that gap by providing structured early learning experiences before school begins.
What does “kindergarten readiness” mean?
Readiness is about more than academics. Countdown to Kindergarten focuses on key development areas, including:
- Social-emotional skills (following directions, sharing, managing emotions)
- Physical readiness (sitting still, fine motor skills, classroom routines)
- Early literacy skills (letters, sounds, vocabulary)
- Early math skills (counting, patterns, number recognition)
These foundational skills help children succeed not just in kindergarten, but throughout their school journey.
Parent Resources
Parents’ Guide To Kindergarten Readiness PDF
Everyday Tips to Help Your Child Prepare for Kindergarten
This guide offers simple, everyday ideas to help your child get ready for kindergarten. Based on research and teacher feedback, the tips focus on important skills like social-emotional development, language, early reading, and learning through daily routines. No special materials or training needed. Use what works for your family to help your child start kindergarten feeling confident and ready to learn.
Parents’ Guide To Kindergarten Readiness PDF
Everyday Tips to Help Your Child Prepare for Kindergarten
This guide offers simple, everyday ideas to help your child get ready for kindergarten. Based on research and teacher feedback, the tips focus on important skills like social-emotional development, language, early reading, and learning through daily routines. No special materials or training needed. Use what works for your family to help your child start kindergarten feeling confident and ready to learn.
Find Support for Your Family, All in One Place
This free, easy-to-use resource helps you find local support for your family in Elkhart County. Whether you’re looking for childcare, healthcare, food assistance, housing help, or other family services, everything is in one place. You can search by what you need, explore trusted local programs, and connect directly to support that fits your family. No guesswork, no long searches—just helpful resources to support your child’s growth and well-being.
Find Support for Your Family, All in One Place
This free, easy-to-use resource helps you find local support for your family in Elkhart County. Whether you’re looking for childcare, healthcare, food assistance, housing help, or other family services, everything is in one place. You can search by what you need, explore trusted local programs, and connect directly to support that fits your family. No guesswork, no long searches—just helpful resources to support your child’s growth and well-being.
Building Strong Brains, Elkhart County’s Early Childhood Initiative
Building Strong Brains is Elkhart County’s early childhood initiative focused on helping all children grow, learn, and thrive from birth.
When you and your families have the support they need, you help your children to be better prepared to start kindergarten feeling confident and ready to succeed.
Building Strong Brains, Elkhart County’s Early Childhood Initiative
Building Strong Brains is Elkhart County’s early childhood initiative focused on helping all children grow, learn, and thrive from birth.
When you and your families have the support they need, you help your children to be better prepared to start kindergarten feeling confident and ready to succeed.
Picture the First Day
Your child walks into kindergarten confident, comfortable, and excited to learn.
That’s what Countdown to Kindergarten helps make possible.
The Countdown is On
Give your child a strong start to kindergarten with this tuition-free summer camp.
Funded by Building Strong Brains, Elkhart County’s Early Childhood Initiative
Application PDF
English
Application PDF
Español
CONTACT US
(574) 295-8761
240 East Jackson Boulevard
Suite 104
Elkhart, IN 46516
© 2026 – Building Strong Brains