Excitement and enthusiasm!

This week I had the privilege to participate in my first Reading Camp. In preparation for the opening of our first Reading Camp at St. James, Leesburg later this summer, my colleague and I were given the opportunity to visit Reading Camp to observe. Not being a teacher, and having been a long time since I had been a camp counselor, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. My first impression, as we arrived during the horseback riding field trip, was a sense of excitement and enthusiasm shared by the children and the volunteers. You could feel the bonding beginning as the children encouraged and congratulated each other on successfully mounting and staying on the horse! As we progressed through the next two days, learning how the camp operates, hearing lots of war stories and friendly advice from the adult volunteers and spending time in the learning centers with the children, I got a true sense of the mission and dedication of everyone associated with Reading Camp. From my own memories of camp as a child, I know how much self confidence I gained, in addition to having a fun time with lots of new friends. What a blessing to have the Reading Camps to be able to provide these memories to children who might not have the opportunity, in addition to providing the skills and support needed to be successful readers. I am really excited and energized – can’t wait for our camp to start!

Thanks to all for making me feel so welcome.

-Carol Chapman from St. James Leesburg, Virginia visited the Mission House Reading Camp last week. She is a part of the team at her parish working toward the first Reading Camp in Virginia called Reading Carnival Camp August 3-7, 2009.