Saturday, August 1, 2009
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
A smashing success!
Reading Camp has been a smashing success here in Paducah. Twenty-four campers are enrolled with 23-24 present each day, eager and excited. Although it was iffy only two weeks ago, we wound up with more volunteers than we could accommodate in the end. With a few minor miracles and a herculean effort over the week between General Convention and the start of camp, we managed to get everyone trained and ready to go by Monday morning.
The City Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum visited this morning and the Mayor was our celebrity reader at lunch. All three were impressed. We have campers from all three city elementary schools, two county elementary schools, Metropolis Elementary (Illinois), and twin sisters from Louisville (their grandmother lives in Paducah).
Just before lunch on Monday, Tyler (4th Grader) said, "I think all the teachers here really like me!" You could tell by the way he said it that this hadn't always been his experience. You know, Tyler's right, we do all like him, and he has responded beautifully to Reading Camp.
A teacher who was a bit reluctant on Sunday afternoon asked me this morning to please put her down to teach next year. She could identify measurable and specific improvement in the childrens' work in the phonics center from Monday through Thursday.
A local doctor who came this morning to help in the Pleasure Reading Center thanked us at lunch for this opportunity. He had given us half of his one day off this week!
Tomorrow the campers will each leave with a backpack filled with the school supplies needed for their particular grade and school (even the Louisville two) along with their art work, eight brand new books (two signed by the authors), a Reading Camp t-shirt, and a packet of materials for their parents from the National Literacy Project. They will also have a book they created in the Writing Center, a journal notebook from another learning center, and a scrapbook of photos from the week.
In a few weeks we plan to mail each one a certificate of attendance along with a letter thanking them for coming to Reading Camp and wishing them well in school this fall.
We can't thank you and the Diocese of Lexington Reading Camp group enough for sharing this amazing project with us!
-Rev. Libby Wade is the rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Paducah, KY and has been part of an energetic volunteer group who began a new Reading Camp this week. In addition to the new Reading Camp in Paducah, there's also a new Reading Camp next week in Leesburg, VA.
The City Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum visited this morning and the Mayor was our celebrity reader at lunch. All three were impressed. We have campers from all three city elementary schools, two county elementary schools, Metropolis Elementary (Illinois), and twin sisters from Louisville (their grandmother lives in Paducah).
Just before lunch on Monday, Tyler (4th Grader) said, "I think all the teachers here really like me!" You could tell by the way he said it that this hadn't always been his experience. You know, Tyler's right, we do all like him, and he has responded beautifully to Reading Camp.
A teacher who was a bit reluctant on Sunday afternoon asked me this morning to please put her down to teach next year. She could identify measurable and specific improvement in the childrens' work in the phonics center from Monday through Thursday.
A local doctor who came this morning to help in the Pleasure Reading Center thanked us at lunch for this opportunity. He had given us half of his one day off this week!
Tomorrow the campers will each leave with a backpack filled with the school supplies needed for their particular grade and school (even the Louisville two) along with their art work, eight brand new books (two signed by the authors), a Reading Camp t-shirt, and a packet of materials for their parents from the National Literacy Project. They will also have a book they created in the Writing Center, a journal notebook from another learning center, and a scrapbook of photos from the week.
In a few weeks we plan to mail each one a certificate of attendance along with a letter thanking them for coming to Reading Camp and wishing them well in school this fall.
We can't thank you and the Diocese of Lexington Reading Camp group enough for sharing this amazing project with us!
-Rev. Libby Wade is the rector of Grace Episcopal Church in Paducah, KY and has been part of an energetic volunteer group who began a new Reading Camp this week. In addition to the new Reading Camp in Paducah, there's also a new Reading Camp next week in Leesburg, VA.
The Reading Camp Gazette - Wednesday
The Reading Camp Gazette
Pine Mountain Settlement School
Wednesday, July 29, 2009 Evening Edition
My Trip to Sand Cave
by Noah Hopper, Contributing writer
Today I went to two caves. The first one was small and claustrophobic. The second one was big and amazing and it was dark, so we got rocks and made sparks.
Going to the Learning Center
by Dominique Carter, Contributing writer
I really do like Reading Camp. I think its fun. I think Rob is really funny and Allison is very nice. She is the one who wanted me to write in the newspaper.
Sparks in the Sand Caves
by Billy Miracle, Contributing writer
I went to two caves. The first one was little and the next one was big. We had lots of sparks.
Sand Caves with Miss Pat!
By Mark Kramer, Contributing Writer
Yesterday we went to the cave. Before we went in the cave it was raining so we got wet. It was really cold when we went in the cave. We got spark rocks and Miss Pat was really nice.
Wildlife Adventures
By Matthew Parks, Contributing writer
Yesterday we went hiking and I learned new things called bat and moth and fox and rabbits. It was fun hiking up into the mountains and playing games and meeting new people. I liked it when I saw the beaver and it swam around and dived underwater.
Songs, Snakes, and Friends: The Best Parts of Reading Camp
By Dalton Shepherd, Contributing writer
I like how we learn new songs like “Banana”, “Black Socks, “Egyptian”, and “Baby Shark.” I like how we went on a little hike and we went up in the mountains. We saw a snake when we were up there going in the cave. It was a copperhead. Mr. Ben said it was a baby. I like how I make really good friends and the whole Reading Camp things is awesome! I remember last year my roommates would get on Mark’s back and he would do push-ups!
My Family
By Zachary Varner, Contributing writer
We went to Cedar Point. They have all the roller coasters and bumper cars. I got on the Dragster. Before you even breathe it goes down a big hill. It’s faster than a torpedo. We cooked out hot dogs for my aunt’s birthday. I got my aunt an iPod. We went to the park and we went to Warren, Ohio to see my aunt.
Joke Central!
How do you make a hot dog stand?
Steal its chair!
Why was Cinderella thrown off the basketball team?
She ran away from the ball!
Bungee’s Visit to Reading Camp
by C.C. Johnson, Camp Laureate
Last night I saw him in the hall.
Someone, someone very tall.
It was Bungee, he’s such fun,
He can play and he can run.
He loves Reading Camp, you see,
And Reading Campers, my oh me!
They’re his favorites, best of all
He’ll put your pictures on his wall.
Reading Camp Poll!
What is your favorite learning center?
Please circle one!
Phonics Comprehension
Pleasure reading
Strategies Creative Writing
Results of the Favorite Color Poll!
Pine Mountain Settlement School
Wednesday, July 29, 2009 Evening Edition
My Trip to Sand Cave
by Noah Hopper, Contributing writer
Today I went to two caves. The first one was small and claustrophobic. The second one was big and amazing and it was dark, so we got rocks and made sparks.
Going to the Learning Center
by Dominique Carter, Contributing writer
I really do like Reading Camp. I think its fun. I think Rob is really funny and Allison is very nice. She is the one who wanted me to write in the newspaper.
Sparks in the Sand Caves
by Billy Miracle, Contributing writer
I went to two caves. The first one was little and the next one was big. We had lots of sparks.
Sand Caves with Miss Pat!
By Mark Kramer, Contributing Writer
Yesterday we went to the cave. Before we went in the cave it was raining so we got wet. It was really cold when we went in the cave. We got spark rocks and Miss Pat was really nice.
Wildlife Adventures
By Matthew Parks, Contributing writer
Yesterday we went hiking and I learned new things called bat and moth and fox and rabbits. It was fun hiking up into the mountains and playing games and meeting new people. I liked it when I saw the beaver and it swam around and dived underwater.
Songs, Snakes, and Friends: The Best Parts of Reading Camp
By Dalton Shepherd, Contributing writer
I like how we learn new songs like “Banana”, “Black Socks, “Egyptian”, and “Baby Shark.” I like how we went on a little hike and we went up in the mountains. We saw a snake when we were up there going in the cave. It was a copperhead. Mr. Ben said it was a baby. I like how I make really good friends and the whole Reading Camp things is awesome! I remember last year my roommates would get on Mark’s back and he would do push-ups!
My Family
By Zachary Varner, Contributing writer
We went to Cedar Point. They have all the roller coasters and bumper cars. I got on the Dragster. Before you even breathe it goes down a big hill. It’s faster than a torpedo. We cooked out hot dogs for my aunt’s birthday. I got my aunt an iPod. We went to the park and we went to Warren, Ohio to see my aunt.
Joke Central!
How do you make a hot dog stand?
Steal its chair!
Why was Cinderella thrown off the basketball team?
She ran away from the ball!
Bungee’s Visit to Reading Camp
by C.C. Johnson, Camp Laureate
Last night I saw him in the hall.
Someone, someone very tall.
It was Bungee, he’s such fun,
He can play and he can run.
He loves Reading Camp, you see,
And Reading Campers, my oh me!
They’re his favorites, best of all
He’ll put your pictures on his wall.
Reading Camp Poll!
What is your favorite learning center?
Please circle one!
Phonics Comprehension
Pleasure reading
Strategies Creative Writing
Results of the Favorite Color Poll!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The Reading Camp Gazette - Tuesday
The Reading Camp Gazette
Pine Mountain Settlement School Reading Camp
Tuesday, July 28, 2009 Evening Edition
Water games were a blast!
by Allison Asay, camp director
Every year I look forward to water games, and last night’s games were definitely the best games ever! I loved watching everyone get soaked with water.
Camp is great!
by Shawn Posey, contributing writer
Since I came to camp here, I had the greatest time. I liked yesterday when we went to the cave and we got rocks and they would spark. When we started to go in, we saw a copperhead snake. And the food is great. Matt checks on us when we get hurt.
Fun at Water Games
by Patrick Miracle, contributing writer
I had fun yesterday. I had fun with the balloons. I had fun playing dodgeball. Their food is good. I had fun going through the cracked rock.
Going to the Learning Center
by Dessy Greene, contributing writer
Today I read a book with Sarah and I wrote a story about friends arguing and making up. My piece of advice to kids who are homesick is to think of the person you miss, like God because God is always with you.
One talented camper!
By Ethan Johnson, contributing writer
I can make a duck sound. I can read. I like water games. I like the breakfast in the morning. I went hiking and went through a split rock.
Water balloons and one funny grown-up!
By Andrea Holbrook, Contributing writer
I like water balloon fights. The water balloon fights get people more energetic. Reading Camp has more books than I have ever seen in my entire life! Rob has the most funniest voices in the whole Reading Camp. The kids here, I have come to learn, are great.
Wise one-liners
Use the knife for jelly first before using it to spread the peanut butter.
Spend your life lifting people up, not putting them down.
Rob is the craziest grown-up ever!
Poll results: Blue beat out pink by 1 vote for the favorite color of the Reading Campers
Pine Mountain Settlement School Reading Camp
Tuesday, July 28, 2009 Evening Edition
Water games were a blast!
by Allison Asay, camp director
Every year I look forward to water games, and last night’s games were definitely the best games ever! I loved watching everyone get soaked with water.
Camp is great!
by Shawn Posey, contributing writer
Since I came to camp here, I had the greatest time. I liked yesterday when we went to the cave and we got rocks and they would spark. When we started to go in, we saw a copperhead snake. And the food is great. Matt checks on us when we get hurt.
Fun at Water Games
by Patrick Miracle, contributing writer
I had fun yesterday. I had fun with the balloons. I had fun playing dodgeball. Their food is good. I had fun going through the cracked rock.
Going to the Learning Center
by Dessy Greene, contributing writer
Today I read a book with Sarah and I wrote a story about friends arguing and making up. My piece of advice to kids who are homesick is to think of the person you miss, like God because God is always with you.
One talented camper!
By Ethan Johnson, contributing writer
I can make a duck sound. I can read. I like water games. I like the breakfast in the morning. I went hiking and went through a split rock.
Water balloons and one funny grown-up!
By Andrea Holbrook, Contributing writer
I like water balloon fights. The water balloon fights get people more energetic. Reading Camp has more books than I have ever seen in my entire life! Rob has the most funniest voices in the whole Reading Camp. The kids here, I have come to learn, are great.
Wise one-liners
Use the knife for jelly first before using it to spread the peanut butter.
Spend your life lifting people up, not putting them down.
Rob is the craziest grown-up ever!
Poll results: Blue beat out pink by 1 vote for the favorite color of the Reading Campers
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Reading Camp Gazette - Monday
The Reading Camp Gazette
Pine Mountain Settlement School Reading Camp
Monday, July 27, 2009 Evening Edition
Reading Camp off to a great start!
by Allison Asay, camp director
The Reading Camp counselors, teachers, and staff welcomed the campers to Pine Mountain Settlement School yesterday. Although it was raining, the campers arrived with smiles and everyone had a good day. Campers and staff had a delicious dinner, watched funny skits from the counselors, and read The Twits before going to bed. The rain didn’t dampen spirits; everyone is glad to be at Pine Mountain for a great week of Reading Camp.
A hopping visitor!
by Ruby Harris, contributing writer
Last night I found a frog hopping across the floor. While I was going up to the bathroom. I had to go and let him free. I put him on a log, and I gave him a rolly polly.
A Frog on the Loose!
by Randi Turner, contributing writer
At midnight last night, I walked into the bathroom. I found a frog hopping on the floor. I did not want to wake anyone so I let it hop. I stepped close to the wall to make it move…. I didn’t want anyone to hurt it.
Reading Camp a place for new friends: How I did at Reading Camp
by Dalton Shepherd, contributing writer
I had a very good time. I like the things we do. I like how it looks. I make good friends. I like to play.
A Review of Last Year’s Reading Camp; hopes for this year
by Dessy Greene, contributing writer
Last year, here at Reading Camp, we played volleyball and we did races and tournaments to see who won. We want to play, to meet new people, and make friends.
A review of Monday morning’s activities
by Kristen Bowman, contributing writer
We went to class. I liked the decorations of the ocean. Reading Camp is different from school because there are no desks, you don’t do any science or math, the teachers are nicer, and I can take my doll Molly to the Learning Center. My favorite Learning Center is the library because you get to read. Today I read a book about dolphins with Sarah.
Reading Camp is not like school
by Ishmael Gibson, contributing writer
I get to learn a lot of stuff. We spend the night, and we don’t at school. The Learning Center has posters and is decorated really cool. The teachers and counselors are awesome and really funny. I think that Rob is probably the craziest grown-up.
If I had an Apple
By C.C. Johnson, Camp Laureate
If I had an apple
I’d polish it real good
And then I’d think
And think and think
Who would eat this food?
Would a monkey eat an apple?
Would a mouse or moose eat, too?
Would a boy in China eat one?
Would a girl in Timbuktu?
It’s all too much to ponder
So I think I’ll just relax
And take a bite, myself, you know,
And play a game of jacks.
Reading Camp Poll!
What is your favorite color?
(Circle one, please!)
Red Pink
Blue Green
Green Orange
Purple Yellow
Results will be reported in the next edition of the Gazette
Pine Mountain Settlement School Reading Camp
Monday, July 27, 2009 Evening Edition
Reading Camp off to a great start!
by Allison Asay, camp director
The Reading Camp counselors, teachers, and staff welcomed the campers to Pine Mountain Settlement School yesterday. Although it was raining, the campers arrived with smiles and everyone had a good day. Campers and staff had a delicious dinner, watched funny skits from the counselors, and read The Twits before going to bed. The rain didn’t dampen spirits; everyone is glad to be at Pine Mountain for a great week of Reading Camp.
A hopping visitor!
by Ruby Harris, contributing writer
Last night I found a frog hopping across the floor. While I was going up to the bathroom. I had to go and let him free. I put him on a log, and I gave him a rolly polly.
A Frog on the Loose!
by Randi Turner, contributing writer
At midnight last night, I walked into the bathroom. I found a frog hopping on the floor. I did not want to wake anyone so I let it hop. I stepped close to the wall to make it move…. I didn’t want anyone to hurt it.
Reading Camp a place for new friends: How I did at Reading Camp
by Dalton Shepherd, contributing writer
I had a very good time. I like the things we do. I like how it looks. I make good friends. I like to play.
A Review of Last Year’s Reading Camp; hopes for this year
by Dessy Greene, contributing writer
Last year, here at Reading Camp, we played volleyball and we did races and tournaments to see who won. We want to play, to meet new people, and make friends.
A review of Monday morning’s activities
by Kristen Bowman, contributing writer
We went to class. I liked the decorations of the ocean. Reading Camp is different from school because there are no desks, you don’t do any science or math, the teachers are nicer, and I can take my doll Molly to the Learning Center. My favorite Learning Center is the library because you get to read. Today I read a book about dolphins with Sarah.
Reading Camp is not like school
by Ishmael Gibson, contributing writer
I get to learn a lot of stuff. We spend the night, and we don’t at school. The Learning Center has posters and is decorated really cool. The teachers and counselors are awesome and really funny. I think that Rob is probably the craziest grown-up.
If I had an Apple
By C.C. Johnson, Camp Laureate
If I had an apple
I’d polish it real good
And then I’d think
And think and think
Who would eat this food?
Would a monkey eat an apple?
Would a mouse or moose eat, too?
Would a boy in China eat one?
Would a girl in Timbuktu?
It’s all too much to ponder
So I think I’ll just relax
And take a bite, myself, you know,
And play a game of jacks.
Reading Camp Poll!
What is your favorite color?
(Circle one, please!)
Red Pink
Blue Green
Green Orange
Purple Yellow
Results will be reported in the next edition of the Gazette
Monday, July 27, 2009
PMSS Reading Camp begins
Pine Mountain Reading Camp is off to a great start. Check-in day was plagued by gray skies and rain, but the staff responded in undaunted and enthusiastic fashion, and the campers were all checked in without any problems. The children this year are a wonderful group; they are all polite, happy, and already seem well-adjusted to camp.
Last night the campers got to meet their counselors and bunkmates before dinner time (delicious ham, green beans, macaroni and cheese, and a chocolate chip cookie for desert), and after dinner the counselors entertained us all with funny skits about the "Rules of Camp." After skits, the kids went back to the West Wind dormitory for showers and snacks, and our adult teachers and support staff volunteers read Chapters 1-4 of Roald Dahl's "The Twits" to the children as a bedtime story. Everyone was sound asleep by 10:00pm, and some children were up at the crack of dawn this morning - ready to go!
Right now the campers are in the Learning Centers getting one-on-one instruction from our dedicated staff of teachers. We have five learning centers this year: Writing, Reading Strategies, Phonics and Encoding/Decoding, Reading Comprehension, and Pleasure Reading. The children work in groups of two's or three's with the teachers, rotating through each center ever 35 minutes. They have a break mid-morning for a snack, and then they continue working until lunchtime. After lunch, they'll spend the afternoon with their counselors doing activities with the Environmental Education staff here at Pine Mountain. Throughout the week, they'll be learning about Native Americans, Early Settlers, Stream Ecology (they'll go searching for crawdads and minnows!), Amphibians and Reptiles, and much more.
We're having a great time so far and we'll update you with stories and pictures as they come in!
-Allison Asay is a volunteer camp director for the Pine Mountain Settlement School Reading Camp from Lexington, Kentucky who is a member of Christ Church Cathedral and also serves in many ministries throughout the Diocese of Lexington.
Last night the campers got to meet their counselors and bunkmates before dinner time (delicious ham, green beans, macaroni and cheese, and a chocolate chip cookie for desert), and after dinner the counselors entertained us all with funny skits about the "Rules of Camp." After skits, the kids went back to the West Wind dormitory for showers and snacks, and our adult teachers and support staff volunteers read Chapters 1-4 of Roald Dahl's "The Twits" to the children as a bedtime story. Everyone was sound asleep by 10:00pm, and some children were up at the crack of dawn this morning - ready to go!
Right now the campers are in the Learning Centers getting one-on-one instruction from our dedicated staff of teachers. We have five learning centers this year: Writing, Reading Strategies, Phonics and Encoding/Decoding, Reading Comprehension, and Pleasure Reading. The children work in groups of two's or three's with the teachers, rotating through each center ever 35 minutes. They have a break mid-morning for a snack, and then they continue working until lunchtime. After lunch, they'll spend the afternoon with their counselors doing activities with the Environmental Education staff here at Pine Mountain. Throughout the week, they'll be learning about Native Americans, Early Settlers, Stream Ecology (they'll go searching for crawdads and minnows!), Amphibians and Reptiles, and much more.
We're having a great time so far and we'll update you with stories and pictures as they come in!
-Allison Asay is a volunteer camp director for the Pine Mountain Settlement School Reading Camp from Lexington, Kentucky who is a member of Christ Church Cathedral and also serves in many ministries throughout the Diocese of Lexington.
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