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About Frontier College s Summer Literacy Camps Frontier College believes that literacy is a right. As a non-profit organization and national leader in literacy, Frontier College has been working with children, youth, and adults across Canada to improve their literacy and numeracy skills since 1899, with the support of dedicated, trained volunteer tutors. Since 2005, Frontier College has partnered with over 155 Indigenous communities across the country to offer Summer Literacy Camps for 45,363 children and youth. The camps respond to a pressing need for quality educational supports and complement the formal school system while reflecting the distinct cultures, traditions, languages, priorities, and aspirations of each community. The Summer Literacy Camps program has grown from an original five camps in Northern Ontario to 141 camps in 127 communities across Canada in 2016. The Summer Literacy Camps offer children a safe and supportive learning environment that complements the school system. Campers Campers reading on the local radio in Aupaluk, Quebec. take part in numerous fun and engaging activities indoor and outdoor, individually and in groups that incorporate reading, writing, numeracy, and science. Summer Literacy Camps focus on making reading, writing, and storytelling enjoyable because studies have shown that a love of reading, not just the ability to read, is one of the most important predictors of school success. Daily reading time, as well as embedded literacy and numeracy in all camp activities, helps prevent summer learning loss. In addition to providing literacy support for children and youth, Summer Literacy Camps help increase the skills and knowledge of the community by training and employing local staff. An important aspect and major factor in the success of the Summer Literacy Camps is community engagement. Research has shown that parent or caregiver involvement is one of the most significant factors in determining a child s academic success. Adult participation at camp sends a strong positive message to campers about the value of learning and education, while raising awareness and ownership of the camp throughout the entire community. Campers in Nain, Labrador, trying out the hand-drum during a demonstration and lesson by performers from the community. 2
Highlights From The 2016 Camps In July and August 2016, Frontier College delivered Summer Literacy Camps for children and youth in 127 Indigenous communities across Canada. Campers engaged in fun activities and games that developed and strengthened their reading, writing, and numeracy skills. Evaluation results show that campers returned to school more ready to learn, with greater confidence in their abilities. In total, 7,523 children and youth attended camps nation-wide 28 new communities hosted Summer Literacy Camps for the first time 34,100 free, high-quality books were distributed to the communities Campers spent an average of 61 minutes reading each day over four times the amount needed to combat summer learning loss. Campers also spent an average of 93 minutes each day on outdoor and physical activities in order to stay fit and healthy 321 camp staff benefited from training and meaningful employment; 66% were Indigenous and local counsellors hired from the host communities Elders, parents, and caregivers made 4,755 visits to camp. This includes 479 visits by community guest presenters who led activities for campers. The camps also contributed an estimated $1.578 million to the local economies in and around camp communities in 2016 97% of parents said they would send their child to camp again next year 94% of teachers and educators said they would encourage students who did not attend camp this year to do so next year Campers reading in Kuujjuaq, Quebec (top), and Taloyoak, Nunavut (bottom). 98% of campers said they like going to camp; after attending camp, 24% of campers had improved attitudes towards reading 98% of counsellors agreed that camp was a positive work experience for them, and 94% would consider returning to work as a camp counsellor next year, if circumstances permitted 98% of counsellors surveyed said their camp experience strengthened their employment skills Learning to make bannock from an Elder at Sweetgrass First Nation in Saskatchewan. 3
Testimonials from campers, parents, volunteers, and teachers Camp is fun so I decided to come every day so I can learn more and have fun reading. - Camper from the Cree Nation of Eastmain, QC I love literacy camp! I am going to sign up every summer! - Camper from Nain, NL It s so exciting to see my little girl like reading. - Parent from Tsuut ina Nation, AB At the end of the school year, my son was not very strong in his reading nor did he believe he could do it. In the first week of camp, he came home and was so proud of how many books he had read. - Parent from Fort Qu Appelle, SK The camp will help the youth in our community prevent summer learning loss. It gives the youth a safe space to learn and play. As a camp counsellor, I gained experience for future endeavours. This experience also opened up other doors for me in this particular field. - Camp Counsellor from Onigaming First Nation, ON I have been a teacher for many years in our community and have seen the benefits of the literacy camp in our students as they return to school. I hope that the literacy camp will continue in our community in the years to come. - Teacher from Arviat, NU We are very excited about the additional reading support that our students received and the improved results it will obtain for them. The camp allows opportunities for our students to engage with reading in a new and exciting manner [and] over the summer, our students gain an appreciation for reading outside the classroom setting ( )The integration of [local traditional] culture into the camp is another essential element that contributes to the success of the program. - Principal from Ditidaht First Nation, BC Top: A camp counsellor reading one-to-one with a camper in Kinngait, Nunavut. Bottom: Campers at Sto:lo Nation in B.C. listening to an Elder during a cultural tour of the traditional lands. Storytime at the camp in Tobique First Nation, in New Brunswick. I enjoy passing my artistic experience on to others. Any activity that empowers students with new knowledge and skills is positive. It also helps students develop self-esteem and artistic confidence. Camp keeps kids in a learning mode. I think it should be held again next year. - Guest Presenter from Hollow Water First Nation, MB The success of Frontier College s camp in our community has become the talk of the community( ) Some parents that had kids at the camp for the first time asked how long the program has been around and expressed their support. Our community wants to continue with the relationship we have built with Frontier College and continue to have a positive impact on the kids and the parents of the community. - Director of Education from Elsipogtog First Nation, NB 4
Recognizing our Supporters Frontier College is grateful to the following organizations who have championed the 2016 Indigenous Summer Literacy Camps program and contributed to its success. Air Creebec Air Inuit Alberta Ministry of Education BC Ferries Boeing Vancouver Brock University Bruce Power Canadian Federation of University Women Muskoka Cenovus Energy City of Edmonton City of Saskatoon CODE Compugen Corus Entertainment Cree School Board Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan Ditidaht Community School Ebb & Flow First Nation Health Authority Inc. Edmonton Public Schools First Nations, Métis and Inuit Education Edmonton School District No. 7 Eel River Bar First Nation Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario Elsipogtog First Nation Employment and Social Development Canada Empty Bowls Perth ESUMA First Air First Book Canada Forest Hill C.I. Fortis BC Geoffrey H. Wood Foundation Hydro One Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada Indspire Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) Kativik School Board Kativik Regional Government Kids Can Press Lac Seul First Nation Let s Talk Science Lions Club of Perth Makivik Corporation Ungaluk Fund Manitoba Education and Training Manitoba Indigenous and Municipal Relations Mastercard Foundation at the Toronto Foundation McCain Foundation Misipawistik Cree Nation Muscowpetung First Nation North Star Air Northern Lights School Division Nunastar Properties Nunatsiavut Department of Education Nunavut Department of Education One Laptop per Child Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade Ontario Ministry of Education Ontario Power Generation Ontario Secondary School Teachers Federation Ontario Teachers Federation Ontario Teachers Insurance Plan Orca Book Publishers Power Workers' Union RLS Charitable Giving Fund Rotary Club of Winnipeg 5 Ryerson University SaskGaming Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) Saskatchewan Ministry of the Economy Saskatchewan Ministry of Education Saskatchewan Ministry of Justice Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services SaskPower SaskWater Sayisi Dene Relocation Trust Scholastic Reading Club Scw exmx Community Health Services Society Sheridan College Slate Falls Air St. Paul's University College Stollery Charitable Foundation Tachane Foundation TD Bank Group TELUS Thompson Okanagan Community Board TELUS Vancouver Island Community Board TELUS Victoria Community Board The Printing House TimberWest Forest Corporation Tobique First Nation Treaty Six Education Council United Way of the Lower Mainland United Way of Saskatoon Wasaya Airways LP Waywayseecappo Brighter Futures Waywayseecappo First Nation Education/Park West S.D. Winnipeg Foundation
35 Jackes Avenue, Toronto, ON, M4T 1E2 Toll-Free Tel: 1-800-555-6523 information@frontiercollege.ca www.frontiercollege.ca Facebook.com/FrontierCollege Twitter.com/FrontierCollege Youtube.com/FrontierCollege 6