Pam Dudding-Burch
Contributing writer
If you have seen little kids enjoying daytime walks, skipping along and holding hands as they ask a myriad of questions, then you have seen one of the activities that the students at The Craig County Child Care Center (CCCCC) has been enjoying during their summer.
“The school age summer camp is in full swing,” Teresa B. Oliver, Director of CCCCC shared. “The younger classes, six weeks to four years, are also enjoying all of the beautiful weather that Mother Nature is providing by having water play days, walks through town and enjoying their newly remodeled toddler playground.”
Oliver added that they have many other summer activities planned including, trips to the Science Museum, Splash Valley, Chuckie Cheese and Bounce.
However, school at CCCCC doesn’t just stop there Oliver shared. JD Carlin with Blue Ridge Behavioral Health Care (BRBH) visits weekly to talk with the kids about many different subjects.
The program started with BRBH in 2006 and has continued every year since. Carlin shared that he started with the program in the summer of 2007 and visits once a week, starting at the end of the school year up to the start of the following school year. “It is normally about eight sessions a summer,” Carlin said. It is for youth ages five to twelve years old.
“Of course, I am biased, but it feels like the kids love it!” Carlin shared. “It’s something different during the week for them to do.” To add to the fun and ‘attention-getting’, Carlin brings games and activities he shares in smaller group settings. “It probably helps that we bring prizes most weeks as well,” Carlin added with a smile.
Many kids ask Carlin questions, which shows that they are not only listening, but trust that he cares. “This year, we have talked about what it means to be a good friend, making healthy decisions, how we are each a unique person and people in our lives that love us and help us,” Carlin said. “Every week is a different lesson, so every week has different questions.”
Oliver and Carlin feel that there are a lot of positive outcomes for this program from the varied lessons taught. “It also allows us to support a fantastic program like CCCCC,” Carlin added. “For us at BRBH, it allows us to stay connected to Craig County as a whole, giving us an opportunity for a positive relationship that can be strengthened with the youth that attend CCCCC who are also in the classrooms at Craig County Public Schools.”
“We are enjoying the summer while socializing with our friends and building friendships that will last a life time,” Oliver said. CCCCC will be taking enrollment for the three and four year olds for their new Head Start partnership. People may contact Teresa Oliver for more information on how your preschool age child could receive free preschool services at (540) 864-7700.