Educators and business owners of Write to Read and Learn N’ Play, Sharie B. de Castro and Sharia de Castro are to host a reading camp this Christmas as they seek to improve reading among youth of the territory as an appropriate gift for the season. Photo: Provided

Sharia de Castro (left) and Sharie B. de Castro. Photo: Provided

“Where is your child ‘sleigh’ted to be this Christmas Break?” they asked. Just like every other break this past year, the de Castro sisters are at it again, wrapping up the year with their Holiday Helpers Christmas Camp, which is ‘sleigh’ted to be the camp of the season. The aim of the camp is to unwrap gifted readers.

According to a press release, among the many gifts that children will be given this Christmas, parents are encouraged to unwrap their child's potential by giving them the gift of reading. “Remember, a book is the only gift you can open again and again,” said their press release.

The Holiday Helpers Christmas Camp is ‘sleigh’ted for one week from December 14-18, 2015 from 9 am to 4 pm daily at Write to Read (3rd Floor E. A. Creque Building, Main Street). Each day overflows with variety, hands-on learning and fun.

The camp caters to children ages 5 to 15. Each camper’s experience is tailored precisely to what that camper needs to excel as a reader. Campers will receive a children’s reading book as part of their holiday package.

Among the many activities ‘sleigh’ted for this week, children will share the gift of reading by creating Christmas cards that will be given to persons within the community to help to share some holiday cheer. Campers will also engage in a Secret Santa and the week will ‘wrap’ up with every child's wish, a field trip.

A deeper appreciation for books this Xmas!

Children who attend the camp will make strides in spelling, decoding, fluency, and comprehension and will discover a deeper appreciation for books and reading.

A few children will be selected to participate in the camp’s Radio Read Aloud by taking part in ZBVI’s Children Hour on Saturday, December 18, 2015.

In a comment to this news site Sharie B. de Castro, who held her second annual Books Mean More campaign at Christmas on de Castro Street this past weekend, emphasised the need to make reading a national priority and encouraged parents to put at least one book under the Christmas tree.

She said, "The importance of reading cannot be overemphasised. Due to an increased awareness of the number of struggling readers in the territory, our reading intervention camps such as this one seek to improve literacy growth by helping to increase children's decoding, fluency, comprehension and vocabulary skills."

She further explained, "Reading may be the single most important skill for children to learn, as it’s a doorway to the world of knowledge. With the end of the Advent term in sight, parents now have an idea of the challenges their child is facing and can use this camp as a jump start to get their child better prepared for the Lent term.”

"Among the hustle and bustle of this Christmas season parents are reminded to beat the dash and sign up their children as limited spaces are available. Call 442-7335 or 441-5592 for more information and registration," said the de Castro sisters.