UNITY — Six blue tents popped up in St. Peter’s School playground July 14 as part of the Pages in the Park.
Alison Mandin, new to Notre Dame School, and Amine Khallough, from EMBM, facilitated the event as part of the Light of Christ Catholic Schools pop-up literacy program that came to Unity for the first time.
Six tents were available with several tents open for families to enjoy shaded space to read together. Two of the tents were full of reading material participants could choose a free book from. Activities were also part of the event, such as painting and colouring.
The program is a partnership with the Ministry of Education. Free literacy activities are led by LOCCSD teachers and EAs. The mini camp offered some outdoor family time, next to school playgrounds and participants get to leave with free books to enjoy with their family and friends all summer.
The event is hosted come and go style, making it easy to join. Camps are offered in North Battleford and other communities through July and August.
Unity’s event saw a steady turn-out. Happy children leisurely strolled among reading tents, activities and the playground, who were thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to engage in a new activity outdoors while socializing with others in attendance.
One mom said, “It reminded me of the lazy days of summer as a kid, strolling between activities, and my kids were really excited to receive a free book for us to read together this summer.”
Organizers say camps help instill a life-long love of reading as well as maintain and enhance literacy skills over the summer to keep children prepared for the fall.
You can follow the program on their Facebook page.
Thirty-five children participated in the Unity event. Winners of the $50 VISA gift card drawn was Ace and Andi Halter of Unity.
