Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Youngsters find kindergarten camp fun

Its pretty much unanimous that the most fun about starting Kindergarten is the time spent on the playground, and next years group will likely be no different, according to those attending Kindergarten Camp at Gurdon Primary School last week.

The idea of having a Kindergarten Camp, modeled after a similar camp at another school, began a year ago, according to Gurdon Primary Principal Rita Roe. Roe said she approached the Cabe Foundation about funding the project.

If they think its going to help the kids, they are always willing, Roe said of the Cabes.

The camp provides a group of future Kindergarten students a small taste of what their first year of school will be like. Theyre introduced to the physical building, learn where the restrooms are and which class will be theirs. They learn a bit about whats expected of them  how to line up, walk quietly, get a tray at the lunchroom and follow directions. They learn socialization skills and make friends. They meet their teachers so that theyre met by a familiar face on the first day of school, rather than a stranger.

And they get a mini-course in the skills theyll need  from cutting to pasting, from listening to a story to holding a pencil or crayon.

All these are things students learn quickly once school starts, but the camp gives these kids a small head start. And on the first days of school, they share their knowledge with others who didnt have the benefit of the camp.

It just helps take the edge off, Roe said.

For some children, Kindergarten is just another step, taken without much thought. For others, its a monumental leap that takes all their courage. By the fourth day of the camp, it was nearly impossible to find any who were still ready to express qualms about being ready.

To the question, Are you ready for Kindergarten, there was a chorus of Yes.

What do you have to do to be ready?

You have to be a big girl, said Sarah Saunders.

Im 5, offered Hannah Dykes.

Im 5, echoed McKenzie Malone.

Im 5, too, said Keoyna Jones.

It was pretty much unanimous that they were all having a good time. Hannah offered up her reasons.

Cause when I come here, I dont want to ever leave when its time to leave, cause I love it.

Most liked the swings the best, but the slides, hoop ball and room to run were also important parts of the playground.

Hayden Key and several others were busy showing their abilities on the balance beams. Hayden took time to tell about his expectations for Kindergarten.

Im going to learn to draw and write names so good, he said, stopping to consider for a moment. Thats all I can think of, and he rushed off to play with his new friends.

The drawing and painting are popular indoor activities.

Jayden Colbert said, I made an elevator.

Her friends, Mia and Nikia said theyd drawn apples and a house, and Hank chimed in that hed drawn a cow  a purple, orange and gray cow.

Jayden and her friends said the breakfast of the day  including honeybuns  was another pretty good part of school.

Kagon Morrison said hed been a little worried about starting school. But it was fun, he said, even after he took a fall and scraped his knee Thursday. His classmates were immediately concerned and walked with him to a teacher for assistance.

So does Kagon still want to come back?

Sure, he said, going on to tell about the exciting things he was learning in the classroom.

With playtime over, teacher Susan Norris called for her class to line up. Her request was immediately met with a chorus of boys who said, Im right behind ya. And they were, lined up and ready to go back inside.

Cortez Burton, last in line as the classes walked off, turned back to take one last look at the playground. Then he caught sight of Roe and waved.