Free summer camp for BSE third graders

Bradie Shrum Elementary School and the Washington County Family YMCA have teamed together to offer a free summer camp for students entering third grade.

R.A.D. is a Reading and Development camp geared towards helping incoming third graders with their reading skills.

The school sent home letters with students who qualified, but if you think your child could benefit from this camp, call the Chelsey Miller at 812-883-9622 or email chelsey@wcfymca.org to see if your student meets the requirements.

This is a six-week camp that focuses on reducing the achievement gap, teaching the importance of healthy lifestlyles, and having fun.

During the morning, kids will work with Sara Russell, a certified teacher at BSE, to help improve literacy and learning. After lunch, participants will join the YMCA Day Camp, where they will focus on physical activities, art projects and go on field trips.

Everything is free for R.A.D. camp, including programming, lunch and a snack thanks to a grant from the YMCA of the USA and the partnership with Salem schools.

YMCA CEO Kristy Purlee said this is the second year for the camp. Last year, children who participated saw an 88 percent improvement over the six weeks and were able to start the school year in line with their peers in the same grade.

She said statistics show that if a child does not know how to read by third grade, they will struggle to stay up with their peers in the future. This is why the program is offered to those going into third grade.

The camp is held Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Additional care is available from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. It begins June 11 and goes through July 20.

All activities will be held at BSE and Salem Middle School.