Kids were the teachers in Thornden Park Wednesday as they showcased what they learned in their month-long Say Yes to Education Summer Youth Camp. As our Katie Gibas reports, nearly 3,000 students from 18 Syracuse City Schools performed plays, dances and songs for their friends, family and community members.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Many of these Syracuse elementary students are already starting to think about college.

"I'm thinking about being an artist or a cook," said Radamz Stackhouse, a McKinley student.

Diamond Gilbert, another McKinley student, added, "I'm thinking about having good grades and stuff so I can go to college."

That's why they participated in the Say Yes to Education Summer Youth Camp. During July, the 2,700 students from 18 different schools took academic classes in the mornings and focused on arts, crafts and sports in the afternoon.

"I've been reading, writing, drawing and all stuff like that. And the most part I like about it are the poems I'm writing," said Stackhouse.

"Extending the day and extending the year for kids only makes them more competitive and it also gears them to go on to college," said Rachael Gazdick,a Syracuse University Executive Director.

The Say Yes Summer festival is the culmination of the month-long program. And students get to share everything they've learned in that time with their family, friends and the community.

"Our children are teachers today and what we know is that kids remember 100 percent of what they teach," said Gazdick.

Crystal Priester, a SCSD parent, added, "I love it because it gives them something to do. They're not just outside. They've got something to do during the summer of after school. It's really nice."

Organizers hope to be able to expand the program even further next year.