Video: On Your Mark, Get Set, Read!

by Victoria Bailey

MILLPORT, Ala.(WCBI)—Most kids believe summer isn’t long enough and dread going back to school.

Now, a west Alabama library is giving students a chance to have some fun and to keep learning.

It’s not easy for a small town but they make it work.

WCBI’s Victoria Bailey spends the day with the campers and has more.
Laughing from a three legged race echoes through the small town of Millport.

This race is part of the library’s annual summer reading camp, “On Your Mark, Get Set, Read.” This program helps young students get a head start for the school

year and have plenty of summer fun.

Cale Wright a camp councilor says, “well it just gives them a head start you know. They can make better grades in school and reading can become a

hobby in general.”

The week long program is for pre-school through 6th grade students.

There are a number of activities, including ultimate frisbee and arts and crafts.

Millport Librarian Linda Ferguson says the camp also helps kids prepare for the upcoming school year.

Linda Ferguson says,”I do want to promote our children learning and continuing the things they’ve already learned in school so i encourage them all to read, if their books count they have to do me a little simple one page book report which also helps with their penmanship what they will be doing in school.”

The library hosts about 30 kids every July for the camp.

Ferguson says the small library receives a lot of help to make this reading initiative happen.

Ferguson says,”For the last 3 years a grant from dollar genera. Dollar General does a grant program and we have to apply for it. We’ve been fortunate enough to receive that grant in the amount of 2- thousand dollars. I also work for a fantastic town and town council. I have a lot of support from our mayor’s office as well as from our town council and they are very supportive in helping to cover any additional costs.”

Reading and exercise are keeping the children active this summer, and they’re also finding their favorite books to read.

Cheyenne Kelley a camper says,” I liked… my favorite activity was the 3 legged race and my favorite book is “I survive.”

 

Charles Neal another camper says,”Diary of a “Whimpy Kids” and Kick Ball.”

The camp continues through this week. …..

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