Local students battle through Reading Boot Camp
Local students went through a boot camp at the Learning and Training Center at Hillcrest this week, not to be soldiers, but to be scholars.
The founder of the camp, Kathleen Simpson, said the kids are taught a number of different things.
'We do phonics, comprehension, spelling, cursive handwriting, and we even do math boot camp too', Simpson said. 'Every year it just keeps growing.'
Reading Boot Camp is a week-long learning session for students, ages 3 through 17, to keep working their brain when school is out for the summer.
This year's theme focused on how the United States was born.
'It's entitled 'Hooray for the USA', Simpson said. 'They have learned so many things about our founding fathers this week.'
The week is completely free for families to have their children attend, as volunteers and local officials, like Sheriff Mike Holtkamp, lead the way.
'I just enjoy it, hanging out and working with the kids, watching them progress as the week goes on', Holtkamp said. 'We get to form those relationships with the kids in the community, so when they see us out, they come up and talk to us and say hi. It's just a better working relationship with the community.'
Drill Sergeant Paula Watson said the week gives students a break from home distractions that many of them need.
'We provide a safe space for them to learn', Watson said. 'When we shut the doors, the world does not exist except in this room, and they know we love them and only want what is best for them.'
Reading Boot Camp also takes place on Tuesday nights during the school year.
For more information or how to get involved in future events, you can visit their website here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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