PAWLET—Library literacy specialist Catherine Hunter ignited children’s imaginations at the Pawlet Public Library’s recent summer reading camp, Imagine: Five Days of Fantasy and Wonder. Built around the statewide theme of “Imagine Your Story” and co-sponsored by the Vermont Department of Libraries, Hunter introduced a literary focus for each day, accompanied by open-ended and engaging art and movement activities.
Ten children ages 6-10 immersed themselves in stories about castles, fairies, gnomes, Japanese oni monsters, dragons, and unicorns. Thanks to grants from Stewart’s Holiday Match and the Children’s Literacy Foundation, children were supplied with art materials all week and took home a fairy tale anthology book to share with their families. “The girls had a fabulous time at camp last week. They are still talking and gushing about it,” reported Joni Lee about her two daughters.
The camp occurred indoors and outdoors at the library, following Covid-19 safety protocols based on “Health Guidance for Childcare and School Age Camps,” published by the Vermont Dept. of Health, Agency of Education, and Dept. of Children and Families. “We only wish the children on the waitlist could have attended, but for health safety reasons we had to limit the campers to 10,” said Library Director Mary Lou Willits. “The campers were hungry for live interaction, and they learned the importance of protecting each other by wearing masks and respecting distance.”
For more information about the Pawlet Public Library and its phased reopening plan, visit pawletpubliclibrary.wordpress.com.
