Prep camp is set for preschoolers

To the editor:

Patriot Prep is a summer camp for little ones entering preschool or kindergarten (ages 3 through 5).

This camp is focused on early childhood development and is a program of the Youth Service Bureau of Jay County Inc., funded through United Way of Jay County. Patriot Prep Camp is based off the previously offered Born To Learn preschool summer camps, and the United Way Program Kindergarten Countdown premise of kindergarten readiness. This camp is not meant to compete with other preschool or kindergarten readiness programs in the area.  

Children attending the camps will be given introductory opportunities to learn and explore their colors, numbers and letters through hands-on materials, arts and& crafts, songs and games. The focus will be on developing social skills such as sharing, following directions and consideration of one another.

Basic kindergarten readiness skills will be taught, and each day of camp will focus on a different skill set (such as numbers, colors, ABC’s and shapes).

Each enrolled participant will be given materials to assemble a learning binder of activities to continue the learning fun after camp is completed.

Patriot Prep Camp will focus on the following outcome measures: 

1. Participation: Having preschool-aged participants attend with their parents/guardians, working on kindergarten readiness skills and giving parents ideas and tools to work on these skills at home in preparation of their child attending preschool and kindergarten.

2. Referrals: In the event that potential developmental delays need to be evaluated, referrals will be made to the proper entity, such as First Steps or speech therapy with parental/guardian permission.

3. Tracking: Contact information for each participant will be gathered for attendance purposes.

Beginning in July and continuing through August 2019, Patriot Prep camp will be offered in three locations — Dunkirk the week of July 22 through 26 at West Jay Community Center, Pennville the week of July 29 through Aug. 2 at Pennville Community Center and Portland the week of August 26 through 30 at Portland Fire Department. Patriot Prep camps will meet Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.  It is recommended to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. A parent or guardian must attend camp with their enrolled child. Older and/or younger siblings may attend, however the learning binders are only intended for the enrolled participant.

For more information or to pre-register your preschooler, please contact camp director Stacy by stopping by Youth Service Bureau, 603 W. Arch St., Portland, calling (260) 726-8520 or emailing [email protected].

Looking forward to seeing you at Patriot Prep Camp.

Stacy Blankenbaker

Camp director

Youth Service Bureau