Summer Reading for Fun 2000
by Isabella Fry

Laubach Literacy of Canada, through its Field Services office and Laubach councils, conducted another successful Summer Reading for Fun Program at sixteen sites throughout the province. The goal of the project, to create a fun learning environment in both individual instruction and group sessions, appeared to be well met. Salaries for the tutors were obtained from the Summer Career Placement (SCP) Program funded by Human Resources Development Canada offices (HRDC) and from the Student Works and Services Program (SWASP).

Prior to the commencement of the program, tutors and coordinators received a 31- hour training seminar at Silver Birches, Pasadena, sponsored by Laubach Literacy of Canada. At this seminar, certified Laubach trainers, including Bessie Merrigan, Marilyn Forward and Maureen Kennedy, provided information sessions to tutors on topics related to the daily operations of the program: Learning Styles, Math, Reading Circles, Reading Strategies, Writing Tips, etc. Paula Power provided a two - hour Math workshop and Paul and Stacey Merrigan provided two valuable and interesting evening workshops incorporating reading activities with drama and Science and Nature.

Councils appointed their own volunteer Steering Committees who hired the coordinators and tutors and monitored the day - to - day activities of their site. The cost - free community programs lasted from six to eight weeks depending on program funding. There were 419 students in attendance throughout the province with 286 students receiving two one hour one - to - one tutoring sessions each week, one-hundred five students participated in Group Activities and 28 children registered for Preschool Activities.

Despite the challenges in conducting this project, Laubach Literacy is very fortunate to have the support of so many committed volunteers who provide training and supervise the sites at the community level. Their devotion has been instrumental to the success of the program. VOCM Cares and the St. John’s Kinsmen supported the program with a donation of $2000.00 to buy books, games and other materials for the children who took part in this program. Again this year, Scholastic Books supported this program through a donation of books. Church groups, College of the North Atlantic, RCMP offices, town halls, and public libraries contributed space and photocopying, which greatly enhanced the success of the program throughout the province. In all communities this is a project that thrives with community assistance and involvement.

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