When August comes along, teachers’ minds turn to the start of school, preparing lessons, and thinking of innovative ways to help their students learn. Parents in Hagley Gap start worrying about how they are going to afford the school uniforms, shoes, and supplies that their kids need to attend school. And kids try to avoid the subject all together.

Blue Mountain Project found a way to bring all these concerns together - Fun Camp – Back 2 School Preparation. Every August, volunteers, coordinating with local teachers, come to Jamaica to conduct week long camps in Hagley Gap and Penlyne Castle cumulating in presentations of school supplies to each participant. The camps have sessions in art, music, soccer, and reading as well as special subjects. The emphasis is on making learning fun and gently transitioning kids into student mode.
Each year a theme is chosen as a focal point for the sessions. This year’s theme is Community Participation. As the volunteers come together and plan the curriculum and lesson plans, they will also focus on the importance of community participation and how children can work to improve their community.

Planning is already starting for this year’s Fun Camp – Back 2 School Preparation. And we need your help to make this a success.

Fun Camp – Back 2 School Preparation needs a volunteer leader who will work with BMP staff, local teachers, and volunteer Camp counselors to plan Fun Camp – Back 2 School Preparation and lead the team once the Camp starts. If you would like to volunteer to be this year’s Camp leader, please contact ed@bluemountainproject.org.

We need volunteers to staff and plan Fun Camp – Back 2 School Preparation. Fun Camp counselors work together online beforehand to iron out lesson plans as well and volunteer for two weeks in Hagley Gap during the Fun Camp. If you would like to volunteer to be a counselor at Fun Camp – Back 2 School Preparation, please contact ed@bluemountainproject.org.

And we need your donations. Money is needed to pay for the lunches that are provided to all Fun Camp participants and art and school supplies are needed for the Fun Camp – Back 2 School Preparation sessions and the school supply bags. If you would like to hold a fundraiser or supply drive please use the 2012 Fun Camp Flyer and 2012 Fun Camp Information Sheet to help publicize your events.

Needed Supplies:
Crayons
Water color paint
Paper
Children’s books and magazines
Poster paper
Safety scissors
Modeling clay
Reading and math games
Soccer balls
Colored pencils
Tape

Pencils
Pencil sharpeners
Rulers
Erasers
Composition books
Black shoes
Backpacks
Toothbrushes and toothpaste

Please hit the Donate Now button to the left or send your donations to:
Blue Mountain Project
920 Adams Street
Hammond, WI 54015