Thanks to the generous support of the community, Edward Milne Community School (EMCS) Society held its first, and hopefully annual, Play and Learn Summer Camp.
Kids from grades 1 to 3 spent four intensive weeks from July 11 to August 5 practicing their reading, writing and math skills by morning and enjoying learning focused field trips by afternoon. Field trips included the Ocean Discovery Centre in Sidney, the Beacon Hill Petting Zoo and the Sooke Region Museum.
Camper Vivian (age 6) says she had lots of fun. “I liked making new friends, the reading and the field trips!” Ciaran (age 9) said “I liked doing the math sheets, and I really liked watching movies in the big theatre!”
The summer program received 40 applicants but only had the funding to fill 25 spots. Costs per child worked out to approximately $660. Tuition was free to the participants and healthy snacks and meals were provided.
The intent of the program was to address reading and math fall-off that tends to happen over the summer months by giving kids a refresher midway through the summer break.
“The community really pulled together to support this project” Heather Walsh, Community School Coordinator at EMCS. “School Trustee Bob Phillips volunteered to help raise funds and our local businesses were very supportive.”
Without the generous help of donorsn this program would not have been made possible.
The Literacy and Math Skills Summer Camp program was developed by the EMCS Society in partnership with the Aboriginal Education Department of School District 62 and the principals, vice-principals and teachers of Sooke’s Elementary Schools. The camp itself was lead by three teachers and one EMCS high school student.
