Summertime!

When my boys were young, we were at the library several times a week, we went on bike rides, hikes, and ferry rides. They did swimming lessons and summer sports camps. And, because I was a teacher, they read. And read. And read some more.

But as a former teacher, I also knew that not all kids spent their summer this way. Summer learning loss is real, and understandable. It’s why ASF has funded Summer Impact for the past five years. This summer will be the last year that 100 K-5th grade students will attend a four-week program that allows them to learn science, math, reading and social studies while exploring our island on adventurous, educational field trips. I’d like to shout out Fidalgo Dancworks, our amazing partner, for providing the enrichment activities each day that make Impact feel more like a fun camp than school. Teachers from Anacortes Community Theater, Fidalgo Danceworks, Anacortes Music Project and Anacortes Arts Festival run acting, dance, music and art workshops through the summer. And it’s all free, including bus transportation and lunches. We’ve been able to run Impact thanks to a generous anonymous donor, and we couldn’t be more grateful.

This month also finds our Ready to Learn Fair committee hard at work, making sure all the pieces are in place for August 17th when we will welcome hundreds of families to come learn about free and reduced resources from our 30+ community partners. Students will receive free backpacks and school supplies, books, haircuts, clothing and lunch. The joy is palpable.

Again, we have our donors and sponsors to thank for helping us put on a fantastic and meaningful event each August. If you’d like to donate, please click on the donate button of our website–www.asfkids.org or call me at 360-488-2343.

Anacortes is the best place to be in the summertime. Here’s to long days, no humidity, endless trails, ice cream and yes, reading.