Camp successful in preventing summer reading loss
August 3, 2011 – For Immediate Release
Click here to view PDF version (62 KB)
Last Friday marked the end of a pilot project in Mistawasis First Nation which introduced literacy camps to over 300 young campers. By using fun, literacy-related activities such as Balloon Relay and Mannequin Mania, campers were reading, writing, thinking and being physically active.
The camp, which is funded by PotashCorp, is run by Frontier College. Frontier College is a national, not-for-profit literacy organization founded in 1899 which has a long history of working with Aboriginal communities in Canada. It operates over 60 summer literacy camps across the country, and has seen great success using this model.
“If school was this much fun, I’d want to go every single day,” said 8-year old Carlene, who spent two weeks at camp, improving her literacy skills. Her mom was equally impressed, “She got up every day for camp without a fight, like we have on a usual school day.” Parents often find that the children experience a smoother transition to school, and notice that the children take books home more often and feel more confident in their reading skills.
PotashCorp is a proud partner of Frontier College. “Literacy is the basis of all learning and is instrumental for a high quality of life,” said Rhonda Speiss, PotashCorp’s Manager of Corporate Philanthropy. “At PotashCorp, we strive to improve the quality of life in the communities where we operate, and we were pleased to play a role in bringing these camps to Mistawasis First Nations.”
There are camps continuing throughout the summer in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. In Saskatchewan, there are camps running until August 12th in Beauval, Cumberland House, Green Lake, La Loche, Air Ronge, Pinehouse, St. Georges Hill , Stony Rapids, and Timber Bay.
About Frontier College
Literacy is an essential skill in today’s world. At Frontier College, we believe it’s a fundamental right. Low literacy skills are directly linked to poverty, poor health and high unemployment. Through a network of thousands of volunteers across Canada, Frontier College is helping children, youth and adults to realize their potential and seize the opportunities that come their way. www.frontiercollege.ca
About PotashCorp
Headquartered in Saskatoon, PotashCorp is the world’s largest fertilizer company by capacity, producing the three primary crop nutrients – potash, phosphate and nitrogen. With five potash operations in Saskatchewan, and one in New Brunswick, it is responsible for about 20 percent of global capacity and is the world’s leading potash producer. Its operations and business interests span seven countries, making PotashCorp an international enterprise and a key player in meeting the growing challenge of feeding the world.
For more information, please contact Abby Robins, Director of Communications, Frontier College, arobins@frontiercollege.ca, 416-923-3591 ext. 378; or Rhonda Speiss, Manager of Corporate Philanthropy, PotashCorp, cp@potashcorp.com or 306-933-8544. |
