Bayfield Primary School’s summer reading program has a new name—and a new energy. Now called Growing Minds Summer Camp, the expanded seven-week program has seen increased participation this summer by offering more options, more flexibility, and a whole lot of fun for Bayfield kids.
Led by teachers Gayle DuPree, Deb Owens, Jennifer Nyberg, and Kayla Boblitt, the camp began June 2 and runs through July 17, and welcomes dozens of students each week. Held Monday through Thursday, the program now includes reading, writing, and math sessions, along with storytime and craft activities offered twice a week.
“We had a refresh,” said DuPree, who helped launch the program in 2020 alongside Principal Jan Alderton. “Part of the refresh is that we opened it up beyond just reading. Kids can come for math or writing, depending on where teachers know they need support—or where parents want help.”
That expansion has helped attract more students across all grade levels at the primary school, from incoming kindergartners getting a jump start to second graders preparing to transition to Bayfield Intermediate School.
“This year we made a concerted effort to advertise and get the word out,” Owens said. “We talked about the program at kindergarten registration and open houses, and we’ve been putting out Facebook posts. Every time we post, more people sign up.”
Each child who signs up gets a 25-minute one-on-one session with a certified teacher, tailored to their individual needs. Sessions run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, with two teachers covering up to eight students each day. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the schedule includes traditional sessions from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by read-alouds and themed craft activities that give kids another chance to engage and have fun.
“We’ve been booked pretty solid this summer, which is nice,” Owens said. “We even have more siblings signing up and coming in at the same time, which we’re encouraging.”
Owens said the shorter, focused format has been popular with families.
“It’s just a small blip in their day, but it’s really targeted. It’s not a big block like traditional summer school,” she said.
Each session is logged so teachers can track progress and build from one day to the next. While the core goal is to maintain academic skills over the summer, new concepts are introduced as appropriate, especially in reading for younger students.
“You’re taking that child where they are,” DuPree explained. “We focus more on the reading side for the incoming kinders, but every student is welcome. This isn’t just for kids who are struggling—every child can benefit from extra practice over the summer.”
Parents can schedule sessions based on their needs, with some children attending once or twice a week and others coming four days a week for a combination of academic and enrichment sessions.
“Most parents report that their kids are excited to be here,” DuPree said. “I’ve rarely had a student who didn’t want to come in.”
One recent storytime featured a reading of The Legend of the Bluebonnet, followed by an art activity where kids created their own bluebonnet pictures. Each read-aloud and craft session lasts around 40 to 45 minutes, providing a meaningful but manageable experience for young learners.
“Read-alouds are so important for kids,” DuPree added.
While the program is staffed by two teachers per day, DuPree said there’s potential to grow even further. “If we expanded this, we could have three teachers on site and serve more students each day.”
Families can still sign up for sessions through July 17 by visiting: https://signup.com/go/wnOHdeE
“We still have sessions available,” DuPree said. “And we’d love to see even more kids finish the summer strong.”
