On Wednesday, June 14th, GCES kicked off, Save the Children's SummerBoost Camp! Save the Children’s SummerBoost Camp provides children with a full day of activities that promote team building, reading and math skill work, and behaviors that encourage success in school and healthy development. SummerBoost creates a camp-like culture that’s more relaxed than school – promoting a sense of community and camaraderie. (Savethechildren.org).
The daily activities are a blend of academic and social elements, to keep kids engaged and learning. In the mornings, campers move through math and reading rotations where they engage in math games, Number Talks, reading books, and participate in read-alouds and vocabulary studies. The afternoons are filled with team building, community service, STEM, and enrichment activities. Every Friday is a FANTASTIC FRIDAY and is celebrated.
This week, SummerBoost campers and coaches had an amazing opportunity to connect with their Appalachian heritage and learn how to do a little square dancing from some of Gilmer County's finest dancers and callers. Superintendent of Gilmer County Schools, Dr. Tony Minney and his wife Kyre-Anna, joined the kiddos and taught the basics and a few dances. And on Thursday, Lewesla McClain and family stopped by and demonstrated a few dances, and the campers were able to practice their new skills. Of course, with all the practicing and hard work of our campers, it only seemed appropriate that they be able to try out their new moves at the West Virginia Folk Festival. What a treat!! Campers were able to square dance to live music, while Dr. Minney called the dances. A special thank you to The Minney Family and Lewesla and Family for providing the children with such a memorable experience.
SummerBoost campers and coaches ended to week visiting the West Virginia Folk Festival. It was definitely a 'Fantastic Friday'.