Camp Read to be Ready provides students with a total reading experience where books take life in relation to our community. Students are given the opportunity to read, think, talk, and write about various texts in relation to our focus of learning. The second session of Camp Read to be Ready allows students to experience Camp Reading River. Twenty five students have spent their fourth and final week of camp as freshwater explorers. Students are learning about and discussing animals, insects, and plants in freshwater habitats. We have dug deep into the following books: One Small Square: Pond written by Donald Silver, Float written by Daniel Miyares, Gruffalo written by Julia Donaldson, A Freshwater Pond written by Adam Hibbert, and Memoirs of a Goldfish written by Devin Scillian.
The ultimate goal for Camp Read to be Ready is to make books come to life for our students. Co-directors Melisha Simmons and MaryBeth Young as well as Troop Leaders Kathy Gannon, Emily Hughes, Beth Mathis and Joy Pope are working toward this goal by creating movements, songs, and art that relate to our books. Troop leaders have created experiences where campers experimented with other objects that sink and float. Campers have created their own boats and examined the properties required for an object to float. Campers also compared water from a mud puddle, a bird bath, a freshwater pond, and the Stones River. Campers examined these waters using magnifying glasses and microscopes comparing clarity, plant life, insects, and organisms.
During our final week of Camp Read to be Ready, Bonnie Irvin from Project Wet led our campers on a trip to The Stones River. Campers entered the river behind the Arts Center of Cannon County. Ms. Bonnie supplied our campers with magnifying glasses, nets, and collection trays. Campers were able to see three different species of crayfish along with numerous fish and plants. Campers were able to see how The Stones River supports the water supply for Cannon County. This was an excellent firsthand experience with resources in Cannon County for campers to see the importance of taking care of our water for plants, animals, and even our own water supply.
To culminate the Camp Reading River experience, campers traveled to Huff & Puff Trucking in Bradyville, TN. Campers began their visit by finally meeting Mike and Dianna Watson, the Huff & Puff drivers who opened their truck up to Flat Stanley so that he could travel their delivery routes. Campers were so excited to finally meet these local celebrities along with Flat Stanley! Every day campers were able to video conference with Flat Stanley and his drivers using Skype. We have tracked Flat Stanley’s adventures across North America. Campers were given the opportunity to explore the actual Huff & Puff truck that transported Flat Stanley and tour the Dispatch area. Campers were able to ask questions about the trucking company, how it began, and how it runs on a daily basis. The Safari Bus visited campers for story time and an activity. Huff & Puff Trucking provided lunch for our campers as well as souvenirs from Flat Stanley’s travels. Campers were also able to explore a freshwater pond on the property.
As summer comes to an end and we all begin a new school year, there are some things you can do at home to help your child. The single most important thing you can do to help your child succeed is to read with them for twenty minutes each day! When school starts our schedules can become more hectic, this twenty minutes is very important to you and your child! Remember, the conversations you have with children about what they have read or heard are essential to their comprehension. There are some important things we can learn right here in Cannon County. Take time with your child to explore wetlands near your home!
