summer slide

Grow in Detroit with the Christ Church Reading Camp

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Christ Church I
This summer Rx for Reading was able to provide 300 new books for the Christ Church Summer Reading Camp, an annual week-long camp that welcomes children from the Franklin Wright Settlement.

Thank you to Christine Galli, Director of the Christ Church Summer Reading Camp, for writing this guest post!  

“Grow In Detroit” was our theme for this year’s Christ Church Reading Camp, and with the help of Rx for Reading Detroit, we found a spotlight book called Rooting for You. It is the story of a little seed in the ground who is experiencing change and growth in its life. The seed is in a dark place to start, but one that feels safe. As the seed starts to change shape, take root and grow upward, it runs into obstacles. The seed fears the unknown and hidden dangers, but with the help of its friends, pushes through it all to find the light! A meaningful book that tied together the children’s tending to their plants, hearing stories from real life urban farmers, and talking about their own fears of change and growth.
Rooting for You
Other books that the children read were The Enormous Potato, The Gigantic Turnip, Compost Stew, and Potatoes on the Rooftop, which includes a segment about Detroit’s urban farming. Also making an appearance were a juggler, story tellers, and members of Christ Church who take part in community farming. All in all, it was a tremendous week and we hope for the same great experience in 2017!
“We had a great week with close to 30 children and 50 volunteers, and at the end of the week each one of the children had a bagful of books, thanks to the generous donation from Rx for Reading Detroit!” Christine Galli
Christ Church 2

Reading in the City

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Reading throughout the summer is the best way to prevent “summer slide” and go back to school ready to succeed.  Plus, it is a really fun way to spend summer in the city!

A camper and counselor read at the Minock Park Summer in the City Camp.

A Minock Park Summer in the City Camper with the ever-popular Clifford.

This summer RX for Reading partnered with Summer in the City, which offers free, 8-week camps for local kids in seven Detroit locations–Northwest Activity Center, Latino Mission Society, Delray Recreation Center, Ford LaSalle Park and Focus: HOPE, Pasteur Elementary School, Hamtramck Community Center, and Minock Park.  Campers get to read, play, do arts and crafts, sports, creative writing, and take Friday Field Trips throughout the city.

More summer reading at Minock Park.

More summer reading at Minock Park.

RX for Reading provided a box of writing paper and new and gently used books for all seven Summer in the City camps–750 books in all.  Campers got to read many of the books throughout the summer, and at “Finale Friday” kids chose whatever books they wanted to take home.

Summer in the City campers with some of their selections!

Summer in the City campers with some of their selections!

Our incredible RX for Reading volunteer and UDM School Psychology graduate student Beth Jordon with some of the books she brought to Finale Friday.

Our incredible RX for Reading volunteer and UDM School Psychology graduate student Beth Jordon.

Summer in the City volunteers with some of the books from RX for Reading
Arthur helping with the book wagon, seen here with one of his favorite books, “Diego.”
Andre picked up “It’s Not Easy Being Big” to read to his beautiful 3 month old niece whom he is crazy about!
Meet Mary Grahame Hunter--She said the highlight of her day was when a little girl chose "Mama Went to Jail for the Vote" (pictured here). When she asked the little girl if she was sure she answered emphatically, "Yes... I'm positive proudly". Mary also loved giving a little boy a book on Willy Mays because he said he loved baseball.  His grin stretched from ear to ear.

Meet Mary Grahame Hunter–She said the highlight of her day was when a little girl chose “Mama Went to Jail for the Vote” (pictured here). When she asked the little girl if she was sure she answered emphatically, “Yes… I’m positive proudly”. Mary also loved giving a little boy a book on Willy Mays because he said he loved baseball.  His grin stretched from ear to ear.

These girls are volunteers with Summer in the City.  Yeva, on the right, immigrated from the Ukraine when she was 4. She said she had inspiring teachers that taught her the love of books, and that's why today she is a Sociology & Pre-med Sophomore at Amherst. Mika, on the left, refused to read in grade school, but in middle school discovered Harry Potter and hasn''t stopped reading since.  She is now a sophomore at Oakland university.

These girls are volunteers with Summer in the City.  Yeva, on the right, immigrated from the Ukraine when she was 4.  She said she had inspiring teachers that taught her the love of books, and that’s why today she is a Sociology & Pre-med Sophomore at Amherst. Mika, on the left, refused to read in grade school, but in middle school discovered Harry Potter and hasn”t stopped reading since.  She is now a sophomore at Oakland university.

A Lola le encantan los cuentos!

Lola loves stories–A Lola le encantan los cuentos!

The little boy pictured here with his sisters and mother said as they started to walk away, "Mama, can I go back and sit in the van because I want to read my book?!"

This little boy, pictured here with his sisters and mother, said as they started to walk away, “Mama, can I go back and sit in the van because I want to read my book?”