New-found confidence

The little girl with the glasses and headband had been so eager to go to Reading Camp when I saw her at church the previous Sunday for the Great Breakfast Send-off. She had been eagerly looking forward to both learning and fun. But when I stopped in to observe her on Thursday morning, I was surprisingly unprepared for the light in her face as she worked one on one with the teacher. She was in a small group of two, and the teacher moved easily between them, making sure that each had the attention they needed. With shining eyes and new-found confidence, this reading camper showed that even before the week was over she had arrived at her desired location. She had come for both learning and fun, and they were clearly simultaneous.

-Rev. Janey Wilson is a member of the Reading Camp Steering Committee who visited the Domain Reading Camp this week

Writing ... is a mountain of fun!

In addition to the Strategies, Decoding, Phonics, Comprehension and Pleasure Reading centers at Reading Camp, the last center campers cycle through is the Writing Center. In this center, one of the main goals is to help campers learn that just like reading, writing doesn't have to be scary either - help familiarize them with writing, the work it takes, and how writing can be fun. The campers start small and begin the writing processes during the week with simple tasks (as seen below).

In a space usually reserved for a chapel, campers learn that Writing too, can be a Mountain of Fun!

Changing between reading centers...

The Ringmaster blew the whistle and the assistant sprang to crank the circus music to full throttle. Suddenly the area between the centers was flooded with joyous children skipping, hopping and cantering to the irresistible beat. It OUGHT to have been chaos; there SHOULD have been lots of questions about where to go next and lots of delay in getting there. (Do third and fourth graders just do this sort of thing when sunshine and blue skies are just beckoning?) But instead, every child seemed to know exactly where to go and was happy to be going there. Within three minutes it was all quiet again. The next circus act was set to begin.

-Rev. Janey Wilson is a member of the Reading Camp Steering Committee who visited the Domain Reading Camp this week

Campers love their counselors

A week in a warm, loving, and positive environment of Reading Camp is often very different than what the campers experience in their homes and neighborhoods. Many campers especially cherish the relationships they make with their cabin counselors. These older teenagers and college students are with the campers everywhere they go during the week of Reading Camp. Not only are these counselors with them in the cabins at night, but they're also encouraged to join in with every camper activity like swimming, games, mealtimes, and just any other moment around camp. Many returning campers to Reading Camp ask upon arrival if their favorite counselor is back at camp, too.

Tamia wants to Andy to take her back!

Returning Reading Camper Tamia has completely blossomed since camp last year. On the first day of Reading Camp this summer she went rappelling - something she did not do during the entire week of Reading Camp last summer. She is full of joyful smiles, enthusiasm, and a confidence in herself that is inspiring to others.

On Monday afternoon while in line for camp store, she asked Domain facility director Andy Sigmon for an application to work at the Domain during the summer. She can't wait to come back!

The joys of journaling

I like your cover picture! I hope you will like reading camp. You will have fun I am sure. - Beth

"Dear Beth, Thank you for liking my picture. I hope that you are having a good time. What is your favrit thang to do at reading camp, J.W."



At reading camp I like reading in the cabins at night. I like to read about Humphrey - do you like the book too? Is your steam engine on your cover going to Reading Camp? It looks like it has a load of "reading rocks" for the campers! - Beth

J.W. - I loved watching you repel down the rocks! That was great! You were so brave! Love - Kim



"I had the gratess day of my life in reading camp. I love when we went swimming and other things. I might miss my friends and other people. Date June 22nd"

Alley - You will make NEW friends this week, I'm sure! - Karl

"It was fun to go swimming two times today. Also going to Reading shop two time today also. So I went to two things today. I had a blast today! June 23rd"

"My counselors were grate and awesome! My cansler Melonee is my bestest cansler ever! My cansler tea was also the bestest cansler ever! I'm glad I had them. There cool! June 23"



I really liked your cover picture! You are a real artist! I am glad you came to reading camp and I hope you will have fun! I think you will like it a lot. - Beth

"Thank you for your comments in your writing, today I went swinging and I woke up early at 6:14am, and I love your hand writing, and today was so fun. Love, Natasha P.S. you are very fun."

Learning is fun at Reading Camp

One of the major differences in the learning environment at Reading Camp is its DIFFERENCE to the school environment. Reading Campers learn with confidence and speed from committed volunteer teachers at Reading Camp in an environment that is warm, welcoming, exciting and fun! Below are some snapshots of the Phonics, Decoding, and Strategies learning centers from the Cathdral Domain Reading Camp this week.

Swimming, swimming, in the swimming pool...

Several Reading Campers are not totally comfortable with swimming at the beginning of Reading Camp. It's often a confidence thing. They've never been around the water, have had a bad experience in the water or the pool is just something scary to them that they've never succeeded in - which is sometimes similar to their reading troubles.

For many campers, the confidence they gain making progress swimming during the week is comparable to the progress they make in the learning centers. Regardless, everyone loves spending time in the pool.

Swimming
Swimming
In the swimming pool
When it's hot
When it's cold
In the swimming pool
Backstroke
Sidestroke
Fancy dive, or two
Oh, I wish there was nothing else to do...

Domain Camp Midweek report

Wednesday June 25
Hump Day was a busy day! We had visitors today. A recruiter, principal, and the tooth fairy! Learning centers went well and after lunch (and cabin chill time), the campers ventured to archery, rapelling, and clown college. The big excitement of the day was the Bat Cave Hike. No bats, but lots of wet feet! A weinie roast at the campfire then on to a movie, "Stuart Little" - which ended our day

Thursday June 26
Today's visitor was a 3 and 1/2 foot king snake! He slithered into the last rotation of pleasure reading to visit. Andy and some of his summer staff captured the snake and released it far from camp into the wild.

A night swim, more reading about Humphrey and a thunderstorm with lots of rain finished our day.

-Lynne Evans, Reading Camp Steering Committee member and Cathedral Domain Reading Camp director

St. Alban's, Morehead Reading Camp Celebration & Camper Send-off

On Sunday, June 22nd, St. Alban the Martyr Episcopal Church in Morehead, KY held our sixth annual Reading Camp Celebration and Camper Send-off.

Annie and Hunter, our 2008 Reading Camp kids, were the center of attention as we gathered to celebrate and help send them off to camp with full tummies and the blessings of our parish.

This year we were excited that Debbie Howes, principal of Tilden Hogge Elementary School in Morehead, joined the festivities. Ms. Howes, pictured below, is a critical partner with St. Alban's in our RC mission.

The Reading Camp Celebration and Camper Send-off tradition was started by our previous parish priest, Emily Richards.

Along with the RC kids and their families, we also invite the RC kids from previous years.

The event allows us to connect with the RC kids and their families (parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles come). Families have commented that the event has helped them to feel safer about entrusting their children to us.

Just as important, the event helps make Reading Camp more tangible to our parish members, who are able to meet and interact with our RC kids/families.

While previous years have included potluck lunches or ice cream socials, this year our new priest-in-charge Janey Wilson suggested having a potluck breakfast. We feasted on egg, sausage and cheese strada, Quiche Lorraine, hashbrown casserole, blueberry muffins, fresh fruit, and yogurt/fruit/granola parfaits.

Part of the annual tradition includes giving each camper a "goody bag." We try to balance practical camp stuff with fun items they wouldn't normally get cool sunglasses, fun flashlights (this year a UFO shaped flashlight that really shines bright), and battery-operated toothbrushes.

We also purchase several disposable cameras for each camper, with the invitation for them to return in August before the new school year starts to share their RC experiences with us and show us their photos.

This year, the items were put in fun Kung Fu Panda bags. When the kids opened the doors on the front of the bag, out popped the Kung Fu Panda, kicking. The whole point is fun, fun, fun!

Another way we support our RC kids and connect our parish to the RC experience is to buy fun cards for each camper, one card for every day of camp. Parish members sign the cards, putting encouraging and funny comments on them. Typically, the RC liaison then begins mailing the cards to the Domain the week before camp begins.

Of course, an important part of each Reading Camp Celebration and Camper Send-off is the worship service. Unfortunately, this year the campers had to leave right after breakfast in order to get to the van to Mission House and the RC van.

The worship service is a very special time where we bless the RC kids and their week at camp. Four years ago, our priest at the time, Emily Richards, asked our RC liaison to write special Reading Camp Prayers of the People. This has become part of our RC tradition.

The RC families often comment how much the services (and blessing their children) mean to them.

In August, we plan on inviting our 2008 RC kids, Annie and Hunter, back to St. Alban's to share their RC experiences and photos with us.

~~

If anyone wants to contact us about how to implement similar events at their parish, please feel free to contact St. Alban's RC recruiter, Maggie Miles at either MovetoLearn@gmail.com or 606-356-6773.

Everyone loves ballfield games

"Once upon a Dime"

A mountaintop retreat. Cool breeze. Brilliant sunshine. Kids. Lots of kids, reading and writing and loving it in centers designed with the flair of a circus big top. This festive mix unfolded before Jenny Williams and me as we spent the afternoon at the Domain in Lee County. Familiar faces lit up in smiles. New acquaintances were just as friendly. Enthusiastic campers, counselors, and teachers bubbled with excitement. http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifThe excitement was contagious. On stage, I felt the thrill, the joy, the pleasure of sharing my books with the campers, who responded with smiles of their own--and laughter. I discussed the process of writing and publishing books. Campers joined me, center stage, with short performances of their own. Reading camp rocks, under the big top!

-Nancy Kelly Allen was a visiting author to the Cathedral Domain Reading Camp this week. She also shared her book entitled Once Upon a Dime.

Visiting the Mountain of Fun

On Tuesday, I drove with visiting author Nancy Kelly Allen up to the Domain to visit Reading Camp. Nancy is such a good friend to Reading Camp—the kids always love hearing her read and talk about her writing, and I was happy for the chance to catch up with her. We arrived on the mountain just in time to hear the whistle blow and see the kids come bursting out the buildings into the bright June sunshine to switch centers. After lunch, we toured the centers—as usual, they’ve decorated everything to the hilt! It all looked great. I enjoyed seeing the origami crafts the kids were making in the cathedral and seeing my old pleasure reading buddy, Karl (pictured above), as well as all the other teachers and Reading Camp friends. It was such a treat to be up on the mountain again, and I’m so envious of everyone that gets to stay all week with the kids!

-Jenny Williams is a member of the Reading Camp Steering Committee and also the director of the Perry County Reading Camp

Another camper who wants to return

One of the changes to Reading Camp since its beginning in 2002 has been the inclusion of journaling time for the campers. This addition to the schedule introduces even more learning time that campers greatly look forward to as much as any other activity. The campers receive a small hardback book to journal in, which many use to write letters to staff members.

The teachers, support staff, and counselors respond regularly. Every evening after dinner when the campers come to journaling time in the Cathedral they're very excited to read what has been written to them and respond. It's one of the quietest, most focused times of the week.

The following journal exchange from earlier this week is between a returning camper Allie and two adult staff members. Allie clearly wants to come back to Reading Camp but knows you can only come to Reading Camp twice. It is Reading Camp policy that students are eligible to only come to Reading Camp two summers after their 3rd & 4th grade school years.



"I will miss you next year. Can I change my name and disicies myself and come?"

We will miss you too - enjoy your week! your friend, Brittney



"Can I change my name and disicies myself and come? I love archery!"

I am glad you like archery - what would you change your name too? and how would you disguise yourself? We would love to have you another year! - Michelle

Allie further explained her plans to return to Reading Camp next year by disguising herself as a boy. She said she would take off her dad's beard and wear a hat.

Will you hold my bug?

One of the most important things that happen at Reading Camp is the time the campers get to spend with their counselors at the pool, in the cabins at night, and just anywhere with them around camp. Many of the campers at Reading Camp especially love their counselors as their big buddies during the week. Here's one of those special moments, overheard this week during the break between morning reading centers.

Camper: "Hey man, will you hold my bug for me, be careful, it's got a flower on it."

Counselor: "What? I don't wanna hold a bug!"

Camper: "Sorry, man, I mean will you hold this flower, I've got my bug on it. See? It's right there on the leaves."

Counselor: "Yeah, but what kinda bug is it?"

Camper: "I don't know, just hold it, while I tie my shoe."

Counselor: "Ok, I'll hold it."

30 seconds later when the shoes are almost re-tied...

Camper: "Dude, did you see that thing fly away? I didn't even know it was the kind that flied!"

Counselor: "Yeah, sorry about your bug."

Camper: "That's alright, I'll get another one. Here, I'm giving you my flower."

Toothbrush races

The following conversation was overheard in a boys' cabin at the Domain Reading Camp last night while all the boys are standing in line in the middle of the cabin-already with their pajamas on:

Counselor: "Alright y'all, everyone ready for the tootbrushing race? Now remember, just like last night, you have to brush both top and bottom, inside and out, and you have to do it for at least 1 whole minute. The best brusher wins. On your mark, set, ... go."

30 seconds later...

Camper: "I won! I won! I'm first, I won!"

Counselor: "Nope, remember you have to go at least one minute!"

30 more seconds later...

Several campers, with toothpaste on their lips (and some on their cheeks), all hollering in unison and foaming a bit at their mouths: "I won! I won!"

Counselor: "Ok, it was a tie, you ALL win. So what's the wake-up song tomorrow going to be?"

Campers, in unison: "Cotton-eye Joe! Cotton-eye Joe!"

One camper: "And then Soldier Boy, please!"

Counselor: "Ok, Cotton-eye Joe, and then we'll play Soldier Boy."

Second Counselor: "Ok, toothbrush racing is over, everyone to bed to hear more of Humphrey!"

More from the nurse's camper check-in on Sunday

One of my ice-breaking questions as I'm checking out the kids, along with asking if they've been feeling ok, is to ask "is anyone at home covered all over with red spots or bumps??" Generally they laugh and say "Naaah", but today, one little boy surprised me with "Well, my little brother has chicken pox!" Which, of course, is what I'm searching for with the spots and bumps question, but which, in this day of a Varicella vaccine, rarely is answered yes.

So, what followed was two nurses trying to calculate exposure and transmission periods from an uncertain little boy's guess as to when those bumps had first appeared...and then Andy on the phone with the Camp Physician, making sure we weren't going to end up with multiple little ones covered with bumps at camp this week. He was cleared to stay, ran off to play, and then followed the talk from the old folks about how, in the olden days, we all just got the chicken pox and got over it... and I swore I'd never talk like my mother...

-Nurse Mary Jane Amick assisted with camper check-in on Sunday afternoon at the Cathedral Domain Reading Camp

First few days of Domain camp

Friday June 20
Although the 3rd and 4th grade campers arrived at Domain Reading Camp on Sunday afternoon, volunteers arrived at the Domain Friday evening to begin decorating for the Circus on the mountain theme. So how long does it take to decorate the learning centers? From 8pm to 3:30am Lucy Cox, Margaret Hill, Pat Allen, Allissa Ferguson and I decorated the Burton Building. Bill Cox cleared out the Abbott building lobby and chapel, then all of the volunteers decorated the Pleasure Reading Room. Lucy and I decorated the writing center and at 3:30am, Lucy and Margaret created the Tiger venue. By then, everything looked like it was under the Big Top!

Saturday June 21
On Saturday, final preparations were made on the learning centers. The other staff arrived, met one another and were settled in before a team-building Eucharist in the Shrine with Bishop Sauls. Then it was off to bed to rest before the campers arrived on Sunday.

Sunday June 22
Sunday afternoon, the Resurrection bus arrived with 17 campers at 2:10pm (the earliest ever!). No lines at the camp nurse's office-thanks to camp nurse Jenny Lou Shirley and assisting nurse Mary Jane Amick.

After a fried chicken dinner and a scavenger hunt Sunday evening, we headed to the campfire for stories and lots of singing. Chocolate for Smores was delivered by Cocoa-Boy and then it was off to cabins for the nightly reading of Friendship According to Humphrey, Chapters 1 & 2.

Monday June 23
Learning centers went well this morning. After lunch, the campers went off to archery, rappelling, or circus college. Circus College was a big hit with our experience Clown Leader Pat Allen (magic tricks, plate spinning, clowing and acrobatics!). Camp store, swimming, dinner and ballfield games made for a joy-filled and exhausting afternoon and evening. FAvorites were a modified version of Red Rover (involved panty hose!), the Scream Relay, Over & Under and Amoeba tag. Evening camp store and 4 Square led the campers to be exhausted in time for bed and more of Friendship According to Humphrey, Chapters 3 & 4.

-Lynne Evans, Reading Camp Steering Committee member and Cathedral Domain Reading Camp director

What's your favorite part of camp?

When dropping a returning Domain Reading Camper off for camp yesterday, the recruiter relayed her conversation with her recruited on the way to camp. The boy had come to the Cathedral Domain Reading Camp last year as a 3rd grader, and had been invited to come back this year as a 4th grader.

"What was your favorite part of camp last year? Did you like the campfires or the swimming best? Did you like the hiking and rapelling the best? Did you like ..."

"I liked it all the best!"

Roshown is a returning camper and could not wait to be back at Reading Camp this summer.

"But you look a whole year bigger, now!"

"This is somewhat of a personal blog, as today was a salve to my heart and soul that was both needed and valued beyond measure. First I openly admit that, to me, any day at the Domain is a great day, but especially today, I found a blessed island of calm and joy in a currently chaotic and uncertain life.

I was offered the opportunity to help with the medical check-ins at the Domain, and quickly accepted...A few hours of fun "work" paid for by one of Rita's fried chicken dinners??....duh.

I saw and felt nothing less than total enthusiasm by all; staff, counselors, kids and 3 wild and crazy nurses. Having been the camp nurse at the Domain Reading Camp last summer, I admit I was looking forward to and especially enthralled at seeing the kids I already knew, returning from a year ago. They were so excited to be remembered, and to be told "But you look a whole year bigger, now!"

I re-met a little girl who I had shared hours with last year, gradually having the honor of hearing bits and pieces of a very difficult but amazingly brave life. And getting a giant hug from a now young man, SO different from the little boy I remember checking in last year...who, during camp, overcame obstacles and fears in such an amazing way that it inspired and uplifted me...forever. And another who was already sad that next year he'd be too old to return to Reading Camp again, but whose face lit up when I told him about Boys' Camp and promised him that I'd tell Andy he wanted to return again...and again.

Counselors from last year, now one year closer to graduation and college, ran forward with greetings and hugs that were soul-saving. They had been, last year, the most responsible, helpful and endearing young men and women I had ever worked with - and to see them, the same, yet so much older in 12 short months was a true gift.

I was able to laugh with many of the same teachers and be amazed at the organization and enthusiasm of this years' camp directors. I was even serenaded by my cohort of last year, Karl (with a K!!) who couldn't believe I remembered the song he sang to me a year ago - as he had no idea how much it had touched me then and that it was something I would never forget.

Known faces, new faces...some hesitant, some a little leery, some absolutely ready to Rock ('n Roll!) with Reading Camp...what a gift...what a blessing. Thank you for letting me share. Thank you for the many warm wishes as I prepare to set off on the great adventure of Reading Camp in South Africa. This day was Amazing Grace. Have a wonderful week."

-Mary Jane Amick, Steering Committee member, and volunteer nurse who visited the Domain Reading Camp yesterday to help with pre-camp health screenings process

Domain campers on the way

Beginning in early March, all Domain Reading Campers were recruited through principals and teachers that have 3rd and 4th graders from schools in communities all over the Diocese of Lexington.

While some have their parents or parish recruiter take them directly to the Domain, other recruiters and parents drop off their campers to board the Church of the Resurrection bus at Mission House in Lexington.

Nearly half of the 40 recruited campers boarded the bus at Mission House earlier today--many coming from communities surrounding Lexington like Cynthiana, Frankfort, and Versailles.

After checking in for camp, parents and recruiters are encouraged to send their campers mail during the week while volunteers double-check emergency contact information and receive camper medicines and while baggage is loaded and volunteer bus riders hop on board with the campers for the journey to the Domain.

Several campers are returning campers from last year and a few of the new campers had never before been away from home. All were excited to see the pictures of Reading Camps of years past and all the wonderful things they get to do as a camper at the Cathedral Domain.

After the hour and a half bus ride, campers arrived at the Domain at about 2pm for the 7th year of Reading Camp at the Cathedral Domain. Campers return to Mission House Saturday morning, June 28. Stay tuned for more news from the Domain Reading Camp during the week.