Released on June 24, 2014
The Government of Saskatchewan is providing approximately $600,000 to eight school divisions to host and administer summer literacy camps with a focus on First Nations and Métis students. The camps will help children age five to 15 to be better prepared for the new school year, which is integral to the Student First approach.
“This is the fifth year that the Government of Saskatchewan has provided funding for summer literacy camps to support students’ improvement in reading and writing,” Education Minister Don Morgan said. “We know the positive impact these camps have on students, so we are thrilled to be able to offer our support so more children can benefit from the program.”
In addition to Prince Albert Roman Catholic and Saskatchewan Rivers, which were added this year, the school divisions that host the literacy camps are Creighton, Ile-à-la Crosse, Light of Christ, Living Sky, Northern Lights and Prairie Valley. Northern Lights hosts 14 of the 24 camps.
“The summer literacy camps provide an opportunity to reduce the loss in reading ability,” Northern Lights School Division Superintendent of Education Mark Williment said. “They are also very effective in promoting family literacy in homes. Countless parents tell me that because of going to camp, their children enjoy reading.”
Summer literacy camps are held in July and August. There are individual and group reading activities and children receive books to take home. The camps also invite community members, parents and Elders to visit, lead activities and read to the students.
In 2013, more than 1,200 children in six school divisions took part in the summer camps, reading an average of 16 books each, more than three times the amount required to combat learning loss over the summer months. This represents a 26 per cent increase from 2012.
The Government of Saskatchewan provides $2.4 million to support adult, family and community literacy programming in Saskatchewan, including the summer literacy camps.
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For more information, contact:
Kelly Johnston
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: kelly.johnston@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-7506