“Be kind to yourself, be kind to others, and be kind to our classroom!” the sixteen soon-to-be kindergarteners enthusiastically chant along with their teacher. As they sing about the days of the week and the months of the year, they get a glimpse into what their mornings will soon look like when the school year begins. This experience is part of Shady Grove Elementary School’s Kinder Camp, an early introduction to the rhythm of kindergarten.
Building Confidence and Easing First-Day Jitters
According to Shady Grove Principal Sarah Burns, “Kinder Camp provides students with the soft start needed to begin kindergarten successfully. By experiencing the structure and routines of an elementary school, they start the year with confidence. This confidence is vital in reducing the beginning of school jitters and allowing students to see they are kindergarteners!” This carefully designed program aims to make the transition into kindergarten as smooth as possible for the new students.
Backing from the Mebane Foundation
Kinder Camp is made possible thanks to a generous $25,000 grant from the Mebane Foundation, which allows all six Davie County elementary schools to offer the program. Spanning half a day over four days, the camp has attracted around 177 eager participants this summer.
Welcoming All Future Kindergarteners
At Shady Grove Elementary, over half of the school’s 75 incoming kindergarteners took part in one of the three weeks of camp. Initially created for children with limited preschool or daycare experience, Kinder Camp now invites all incoming students to participate. This inclusive approach ensures that every child is offered a head start on adjusting to group settings, classroom routines, and the essential social skills needed for success in school. The camp provides a comprehensive orientation to the school environment, covering the classroom, centers, cafeteria, and playground.
An Exciting, Stress-Free Introduction to School Life
Sharon Godbey, a seasoned kindergarten teacher at Shady Grove for 24 years and a Kinder Camp instructor for 17, shared her thoughts: “Kinder Camp highlights all of the excitement and fun of kindergarten without the stress of the academics. It helps students eliminate the nerves that can come with the first day of school. They already have a little practice and insight into what kindergarten will be like, and they get a chance to make friends with some of the students who will be in their class. Seeing a familiar face is always helpful. Kinder Camp also comforts parents as they adjust to sending their baby off to be cared for by someone else.”
Godbey finds immense joy in leading Kinder Camp, so much so that she can’t imagine her summers without it. “I love coming and playing with the kids, and meeting many of my students in advance is certainly an advantage. The hardest thing is not getting to keep them all during the school year.”
Susan Massey, who is beginning her fifth year as an instructional assistant at Shady Grove, also expressed her excitement about being part of Kinder Camp for the first time. “I wanted to meet the students who will be in my class,” she said, reflecting on the unique opportunity the camp provides.
Mutual Benefits for Teachers and Students
Kinder Camp not only benefits the students but also provides teachers with valuable insights into their incoming pupils. By observing the students in a relaxed setting, teachers can better understand each child’s personality and academic skills, aiding in classroom placements. As Godbey explained, “It’s helpful to learn which students have personality conflicts or may need a little extra help so that we can spread them out across all of the classrooms.”
Learning the Basics: Procedures and Expectations
During the four-day camp, the children are introduced to kindergarten expectations, including walking in a line, sitting quietly, keeping their hands to themselves, and using kind words. Each day is filled with basic academic activities, such as writing their names, cutting with scissors, recognizing letters, shapes, and colors, and listening to read-aloud stories. There is also ample time for the students to learn how to play and interact appropriately with others in centers and on the playground.
The activities range from cutting shapes in Play-Doh and building with Legos to drawing and writing in the art center. While the children are thoroughly enjoying themselves, they are also honing their fine motor skills, learning to follow directions, and mastering the art of cooperation. This fun-filled journey is laying the foundation for their upcoming kindergarten year.
Remarkable Growth and Parental Gratitude
Godbey is always impressed by how much the students grow during the short span of Kinder Camp and strongly encourages parents to consider it for their children who will enter kindergarten next fall. “Kinder Camp is an awesome opportunity for students, families, and teachers. We are so grateful to the Mebane Foundation for funding this opportunity. It makes such a big impact.”
Parents have also expressed their delight with the program. Desiree Hecht, reflecting on her son’s experience, remarked, “Kinder Camp is an amazing opportunity for children to prepare for kindergarten. Kindergarten is a major change for young children, and having the opportunity to spend a few days in the classroom with peers really helped reduce some of the anxiety my son was feeling toward starting school. Thank you to everyone who made Kinder Camp possible!”
Ashley Bonasso shared similar sentiments: “My daughter loved Kinder Camp! It was a great way for her to experience the classroom in a more relaxed environment before the school year starts. She came home asking if she could go ahead and start kindergarten!”
Elizabeth Moroz echoed these feelings, stating, “Owen had the best time at Kinder Camp, and he is so excited for school to start. Thank you for making this transition so special and fun.”
In her enthusiastic response, Ashley Fain said, “Kinder Camp was an absolute game changer for our little one. He has been nervous about starting a new big school, but Kinder Camp set his mind at ease. He asks now every day when the first day of school starts so he can ‘see his new friends and learn to read.’ Thank you!”
