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Pathways to summer fun An in-depth look from the Cabell County Family Resource Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, May 21, 2020

CONTACT: Debra Harris-Bowyer, Cabell County Family Resource Network Coordinator | P: 304.697.0255 | E: dbowyer@cabellfrn.org

CONTACT: Kaylin R. Adkins-Staten, APR, Hourglass Media | P: 304.900.2833 | E: kaylin@hourglassomnimedia.com

PATHWAYS TO SUMMER FUN RESOURCE listing outlines FUN LEARNING EXPERIENCEs OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL YOUTH

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Summer may look a little differently than in years past, but fun and educational opportunities are still available for our area's youth.

With the end of virtual classes and long periods of quarantine due to COVID-19, parents and caregivers could already be thinking about how to occupy their children over the summer. However, children don't have to leave the region -- or even their homes -- to have a fun, educational summer.

The Cabell County Family Resource Network, in partnership with the Huntington Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Cabell County Student Empowerment Team and Hourglass Media, has all of the summer fun answers to parents’ most pressing questions. It recently released the Pathways to Summer Fun flyer and database for Cabell County activities and beyond. This is the second year for this free resource.

The Cabell County Student Empowerment Team, a part of the Cabell County Family Resource Network, has always promoted children having caring adults in their lives, safe places to learn and grow, get a healthy start, develop marketable skills and learn to give back to the community. The organization uses the "5 Basics of America's Promise" to guide all local activities. West Virginia is identified as one of 15 states that has passed legislation to keep students learning in the summer.

"CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE LEADERS AND NEED EXPERIENCES TO HELP THEM DEVELOP INTO LIFELONG LEARNERS," said debra harris BOWYER, CABELL COUNTY FRN COORDINATOR. "THIS INCLUDES MEANINGFUL SUMMER TIME EXPERIENCES, AS WELL AS THE REGULAR SCHOOL YEAR. OUR COMMUNITY HAS A WEALTH OF SERVICE AGENCIES, PARKS, RECREATION, TECHNOLOGY, ARTS AND CAMPS TO OFFER FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH THESE OPPORTUNITIES. NAVIGATING ALL OF THOSE RESOURCES CAN BE CHALLENGING, SO WE HAVE COMPILED AS MANY SOURCES TO PROVIDE A 'PATHWAY TO SUMMER FUN.' IN FACT, IT IS MORE THAN JUST FUN. ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL SUMMER LEARNING ASSOCIATION, CHILDREN HAVE SO MANY WAYS THEY CAN KEEP THEIR BRAINS ACTIVE WHEN THE SCHOOL YEAR ENDS with ACTIVITIES LIKE COOKING, CRAFTS, NATURE WALKS, READING AND MORE. THESE ACTIVITIES SPARK CURIOSITY AND ALLOW CHILDREN TO FOLLOW WRITTEN AND ORAL DIRECTIONS. THERE ARE SO MANY BENEFITS, AND WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO BROWSE THE LIST AND SEE WHAT INTERESTS YOUR CHILD."

This listing of summer camps and enrichment activities have been compiled for a quick glance into all the different pathways your children and youth can explore for fun learning experiences this summer. The list offers camps, arts and crafts, sports and other enrichment activities. Instruction during the summer has the potential to stop summer learning losses. Extended learning is essential for children to achieve reading success by the end of third grade.

Confirm dates, times, and details with each program. A full list with links to each program can be found at bit.ly/cabellfrnsummerfun2020 and cabellfrn.org.

“I WAS SO EXCITED WHEN I LEARNED ABOUT THIS LIST!" said TYSON COMPTON, PRESIDENT OF THE Huntington area CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU. "OUR JOB AT THE CVB IS TO LET BOTH VISITORS AND LOCAL PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THEY CAN SEE AND DO IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND THIS LIST DOES JUST THAT. IT IS SUCH A VALUABLE RESOURCE FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE LOOKING FOR SUMMER EVENTS. THESE ARE ALL TRUSTED PARTNERS AND THE INFORMATION MAKES IT SO EASY TO PLAN ACTIVITIES WITH JUST A FEW CLICKS.”

Here are some examples of listings on the flyer and on cabellfrn.org:

“As a company owner in Cabell County, I love helping the next generation get positive starts in their lives," said Kaylin Staten, APR, CEO of Hourglass Media. "This list allows children to keep learning in the summer months in a variety of fun ways. It was a natural fit to want to help communicate about the great things going on in The Jewel City and beyond. Plus, your child has no excuse to be bored this summer with so many awesome things going on!”

To view the most up-to-date listings and for more information, visit http://bit.ly/pathwaystosummerfun2020 or www.cabellfrn.org.

Resources

Below is the current listing of Pathways to Summer Fun activities near you. Please check cabellfrn.org for the most up-to-date information and additions to the list!

This listing of summer camps and enrichment activities have been compiled for a quick glance into all the different pathways your children and youth can explore for fun learning experiences this summer. Confirm dates, times, and details with each program (list updated May 18, 2020). A full list with links to each program will be updated throughout the summer and can be found at bit.ly/pathwaystosummerfun2020 and www.cabellfrn.org.

Huntington Area Convention and Visitors’ Bureau: Discover all there is to see and do in Cabell & Wayne County. visithuntingtonwv.org/what-to-do/events-calendar/

Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation District: Join the GHPRD Recreation Team for a fun new activity at a different park each Monday in June and July at 1 p.m., http://www.ghprd.org

Barboursville Park: Fun events for kids and families are scheduled all summer long! facebook.com/BvilleParksRec/

4H Camps: County 4-H camps are listed at www.extension.wvu.edu/cabell/4h For more information about how to attend this year call 304-526-8458.

Beech Fork State Park Events: Special historical and musical events are happening at the park this summer. Call 304-528-5794 or visit www.wvstateparks.com/park/beech-fork-state-park for more information.

Cabell County Public Library has year round programs and an event calendar at www.cabell.lib.wv.us.

Camp Horseshoe Youth Leadership Camps: Parsons, WV, for dates and information about each camp call 304- 478-2481, email horseshoe@yla-youthleadership.org, or visit www.yla-youthleadership.org.

Huntington Dance Theatre: Classes focusing on different levels of abilities. Call 304-522-4230 or email huntingtondance1981@gmail.com; visit www.facebook.com/HuntingtonDanceTheatre.

Michaels Stores Camp Creativity: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays June 15 - July 31; 10 a.m. – noon; call 304-733-0954 or visit www.michaels.com/camp-creativity.

Learn to Read: Reading Skills Program offered by Marshall University, Center for Continuing Education, designed and being done Live Online for the safety of our families by the Institute of Reading Development. Call 800-964-8888 or visit www.marshall.readingprograms.org.

River Valley Child Development Services Summer Camp is a component of the School Age Connections program that provides all day care for school aged children during the summer weeks when school is not in session. For details: www.rvcds.org.

Summer Camps for Kids: Visit www.herald-dispatch.com, type in the search “Summer Camps for Kids.” To submit a summer camp, email the details to acopley@HDMediaLLC.com. Access the online community calendar at www.herald-dispatch.com/hdcalendar/.

Tennis Lessons: The Huntington Tennis Association, in conjunction with the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District, will be conducting FREE Beginner Tennis Instruction Clinics this Summer for Ages 5-12 at the Ritter Park Tennis Center. There will be two sessions each week. Contact www.ghprd.org for details.

more information is available on www.cabellfrn.org.

ways and Tips to keep your child learning this summer

The West Virginia Department of Education states that, "in West Virginia, school readiness refers to the process of assuring children have access to the best available resources prior to entering first grade. Available resources support children and their families, and focus on maximizing children’s holistic development from birth. Research shows that learning begins long before a child enters kindergarten.”

Recommendations include:

  • Helping parents access to supports for nurturing early literacy and language development to help children become school ready.
  • Increasing children participating in extended school year opportunities with instruction during the summer have the potential to stop summer learning losses and propel students toward higher achievement. Examples include connecting to local libraries, 4-H, WV Extension Services, The Boys and Girls Club, download the Vroom app and increase access to books. Also, connect with your local Family Resource Network to learn what resources county. The Pathways to Summer Fun guide provides a quick glance to connect with those enrichment activities throughout the summer that will enhance student learning.

The Crucial Role of Summer and Enrichment

In West Virginia, school readiness refers to the process of assuring children have access to the best available resources prior to entering first grade. Available resources support children and their families, and focus on maximizing children’s holistic development from birth. Research shows that learning begins long before a child enters kindergarten. Children, even infants, soak up words, rhymes, songs, and images. Most language acquisition occurs prior to children entering school, so it is important to provide a language-rich environment to ensure robust vocabulary development.

Too many children from low-income families begin school already far behind. The research shows that these children are less likely to be read or spoken to regularly or to have access to books, literacy-rich environments, high-quality care, and pre-k programs. As a consequence, these children may hear as many as 30 million fewer words than their middle-income peers before reaching kindergarten. Research also shows that such interactions are critical for language development, an important precursor to literacy.

The WVDE recommends You For Youth resource overview to find tools to support your efforts in literacy, summer learning, STEM, etc.

Tips for parents for students of all ages can be found at You for Youth Resources

SummerLearning.org and Full Knowledge Center

Several tip sheets for different ages: https://www.summerlearning.org/knowledge-center/?topic=sld-community

Download resources from Vroom to engage families in interactive activities with their children.

Visit your local library to get a schedule of events offered for children birth to age three.

Connect with your local Family Resource Network to learn what resources your county provide for prenatal care, birth to three resources, etc.

Get books in the hands of children. Have accessible reading material in the home.

National Summer Learning Week (July 6-11, 2020) is a national advocacy day aimed at elevating the importance of keeping kids learning, safe and healthy every summer, ensuring they return to school in the fall ready to succeed in the year. Your participation sends a powerful message across the nation that summers matter and offers an opportunity to showcase how summers can make a life-changing difference in the lives of young people. Summer Learning Day is a national advocacy day recognized to spread awareness about the importance of summer learning for our nation’s youth in helping close the achievement gap and support healthy development in communities all across the country. Find an event or program near you at www.summerlearning.org!

The 5 Promises Change Lives

According to America’s Promise, the work of the Alliance for Youth involves “keeping Five Promises to children and youth that form the conditions they need to achieve adult success. We promise to young Americans that they will grow up with the help and guidance of caring adult relationships, healthy childhoods, safe surroundings, effective education and opportunities to serve others. When at least four of these promises are at work in young people’s lives, they are more likely to succeed academically, socially and civically.”

  • Promise No.1, Caring Adults: Caring adults are the centerpieces of children’s development. They serve as guides, caretakers and advisers, who give positive and productive guidance throughout their development.
  • Promise No.2, Safe Places: To develop intellectually and emotionally, young people need physical and psychological safety at home, at school and in the community. Without such “safe places” – environments that support and encourage inquiry, exploration, and play without fear of harm – children aren’t able to get support, form positive relationships and concentrate on school.
  • Promise No.3, A Healthy Start: Healthy and well-nourished children are more able to develop their minds and bodies as they should, and they are far more capable of concentrating, learning and thriving throughout their school years.
  • Promise No.4, Effective Education: Our increasingly knowledge-driven world demands people who have the education and skills to thrive in a competitive marketplace, and to understand the increasingly complex world in which they live. That means that in order to compete and succeed, all young people will need an effective education that prepares them for work and life.
  • Promise No.5, Opportunities to Help Others: Through service to others, young Americans develop the character and competence they need to be helpful, hopeful and civically engaged all their lives, regardless of their own life circumstances.

For more information: http://www.americaspromise.org/promises

The Cabell County Family Resource Network (FRN) is a partnership of individuals, families and agencies working together to promote the well-being of children and families in Cabell County. Since its incorporation in September 1993, the Cabell County FRN has brought together a broad-based representation of partners, including business representatives, consumers, and service providers from health, education, housing, and social services. These partners are critical to improving the well-being of our families and children. The Cabell County FRN envisions a coordinated, community-based social service system responsive to the needs of families and effective in enhancing the success of individuals and families to responsibly achieve their goals.

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Photos from Adobe Creative Cloud, CabellFRN.org, Hourglass Media

Created By Hourglass Media

Created By
Kaylin Staten
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Created with images by Jeremy Thomas - "The clouds cleared for just 5 minutes, allowing me to snap one of the most marvelous photographs I’ve ever captured." • frank mckenna - "untitled image" • Myles Tan - "untitled image" • Alexander Dummer - "Escape from the sandbox" • Toni Cuenca - "untitled image" • Zach Lucero - "Evening Joy"Photos by Kaylin R. Staten, Upsplash and others.