Bring Storytelling to Kids at Camp

We are seeking funds to help bring the power of stories and storytelling to the homeless children who attend Camp Mercer. This day camp keeps the area's poorest kids safe and engaged while giving them a summer of social, intellectual and personal enrichment. Summer camp is critical for homeless children. Many homeless families have a working parent, which means that children may be left unattended during the day. Camp Mercer, with an average daily attendance of more than 165, is designed just for them. Each morning, reading, science and math are taught to prevent a summer-vacation “learning lag.” But because this is camp, the staff gets creative to make learning as fun as possible, often weaving lessons into that summer’s theme. 

This is where SAI comes in. Our Professional Storyellers use traditional fables, foltales, and myths to help kids make connections to their learning, and find success. Our Storytellers will work to integrate the tradition of oral storytelling into the theme and curriculum of the camp - helping to make learning fun for all students! Every student, regardless of background or educational ability can participate. 

When a storyteller relates a tale and invites kids to respond with voice and body, they are given a new avenue to receive and respond to literature. They are given the chance to actively listen, imagine, critically think, and respond to story - stories that often make connections to their lives. 

With your help - we can become an integral part of the camp for the upcoming summer. Each of the children will received 5 sessions with our Teaching Artists over the course of the summer. Camp will start on June 26, 2017. Every donation - large or small - helps to open the doors of success. #onestoryatatime


“Storytelling was found to be effective in creating interest and improving reading skills in activities associated with social studies, science, language arts, and bilingual education.” — Dr. Robin D. Groce, Assistant Professor, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Mississippi State University.