Camp Sharigan Encourages Young Readers

Camp Sharigan is a place to volunteer and have a positive impact on children including a poison ivy patch as a make-believe incentive that motivates the children to give that extra step to climb over "Mount Reading".

During a motivational week at Camp Sharigan, children were encouraged to read and participate in a learning environment. Camp Sharigan is a reading program that helps children improves their reading skills. The program started seven years ago by Dr. Elaine Clanton Harpine and has been held in various locations in Aiken. Camp Sharigan has been offered in Florida, Ohio, and Chicago as well.

According to Harpine, "If you teach a child to read, you can change the world." She has dedicated her time, knowledge, and patience that allow the program to continually excel.

The children entered the camp with energy and excitement. They were treated to food upon arrival and eagerly waited for a story to be told. The children, mostly first graders, were divided into learning groups. One of the most beneficial sites in the camp is Sharigan's Snake Pit with phonics games, soft fuzzy cloth snakes, and a tent full of buzzing mosquitoes. The children were asked to write imaginative stories about Orangeburg, where orange people existed, and read stories while making illustrations to match.

Kimberly Gannt, a junior secondary education student, said, "Creative activities children participate in each day allow growth, amazing improvement, and learning advantages!"

Gannt enjoyed being a part of the program, particularly helping the children. Emily Fields, a junior exercise science student, volunteered each day at Camp Sharigan.

"The program is a great learning experience and the crafts add to the enthusiasm about reading," she said.

In the future, Camp Sharigan will sponsor "Make a Difference Day" at Woodland Methodist Church in Augusta October 22 through October 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The program will travel to Bronx, N.Y. and Dallas, Texas. Volunteers for these trips are encouraged.

Dr. Harpine would like to have more volunteers to participate in the program. "Camp Sharigan is a week-long reading clinic set in the atmosphere of a hands-on, wonder-filled reading camp that incorporates therapeutic play interventions and motivational learning in a group- centered atmosphere," Harpine said.

Camp Sharigan is a place to volunteer and have a positive impact on children including a poison ivy patch as a make-believe incentive that motivates the children to give that extra step to climb over "Mount Reading".

During a motivational week at Camp Sharigan, children were encouraged to read and participate in a learning environment. Camp Sharigan is a reading program that helps children improves their reading skills. The program started seven years ago by Dr. Elaine Clanton Harpine and has been held in various locations in Aiken. Camp Sharigan has been offered in Florida, Ohio, and Chicago as well. According to Harpine, "If you teach a child to read, you can change the world." She has dedicated her time, knowledge, and patience that allow the program to continually excel.

The children entered the camp with energy and excitement. They were treated to food upon arrival and eagerly waited for a story to be told. The children, mostly first graders, were divided into learning groups. One of the most beneficial sites in the camp is Sharigan's Snake Pit with phonics games, soft fuzzy cloth snakes, and a tent full of buzzing mosquitoes. The children were asked to write imaginative stories about Orangeburg, where orange people existed, and read stories while making illustrations to match.

Kimberly Gannt, a junior secondary education student, said, "Creative activities children participate in each day allow growth, amazing improvement, and learning advantages!"

Gannt enjoyed being a part of the program, particularly helping the children.

Emily Fields, a junior exercise science student, volunteered each day at Camp Sharigan. "The program is a great learning experience and the crafts add to the enthusiasm about reading," she said. In the future, Camp Sharigan will sponsor "Make a Difference Day" at Woodland Methodist Church in Augusta October 22 through October 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The program will travel to Bronx, N.Y. and Dallas, Texas. Volunteers for these trips are encouraged.

Dr. Harpine would like to have more volunteers to participate in the program. "Camp Sharigan is a week-long reading clinic set in the atmosphere of a hands-on, wonder-filled reading camp that incorporates therapeutic play interventions and motivational learning in a group- centered atmosphere," Harpine said.