Summer Camp Reflections

The last week of Camp was a blast! Performing arts books like "Pig the Star" were fun to read, graphic novels went like hotcakes, and everyone knew what they were doing (volunteer readers and kids included). Hard choices were made over which book would be taken home, books were coveted and shared. My favorite quote from a camper this week: "All the books are sooo cool; I want them all!" It's such a kick to hear kids appreciate books and stories; it's our mission come to fruition!

Camp has been the first step toward a new normal, I'm glad that Read-Aloud could participate this year! Spread out over Shields-Reid, Nevin, Parchester and Richmond Rec, campers and volunteers had over 24 hours of reading time, over 250 books were chosen and taken home, and another 200+ books were left at the community centers to distribute.

A summer can change a child's point of view. One of the campers, before setting foot in the reading room loudly exclaimed "Ugh, reading class!," but by week six was stopping by while were were setting up to get a jump on the other kids at titles he was interested in and telling us "I love Read-Aloud!" Reluctant readers and avid ones all got to read and take home books of their choosing, and most of them enjoyed both.

Thank you to the staff, teachers and counselors at Camp Achieve and Camp Elevate, you did it, and the kids had fun!