Two local organizations are working together to make sure Rock Island kids include reading in their summer plans. The Summer Enrichment Initiative at the Spring Forward Learning Center is a set of summer camps designed to keep children engaged in learning during the summer.
Spring Forward is working with the Rock Island County Public Library for its program, On Your Mark, Get Set...READ. Wednesday, they held a pep rally and "parade of books" to kick off the summer camps.
Dan McNeil is the executive director of Spring Forward Learning Center. He says nearly 500 children are participating this summer, and the goal is to prevent what he calls "the summer slide."
Spring Forward holds after-school programs all year to provide extra help for children with reading difficulties.
Spring Forward's camps meet five days a week at Frances Willard, Rock Island Academy, the Center for Math and Science, and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. There is also a camp at the Martin Luther King Community Center.
The summer enrichment camps are for children entering kindergarten though sixth grade. More information is at www.SpringForwardQCA.com. The Rock Island Library's Summer Reading program provides activities and contests for area children through July 16th.