ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
Making the U.S. more literate, one child and one book at a time!
OUR VISION
Camp Read-a-Rama is a non-profit that uses books for children as the springboard for all program activities. Camp Read-a-Rama champions children’s literacy because it is the cornerstone of opportunity. We support children especially in historically under-resourced communities to develop the critical ability to read by third grade. We envision a future in which every child has access to the programs, high quality books, and the community support they need to develop strong reading skills. We are committed to fostering a nation of readers, one child and one book at a time.
FOUNDERS
Dr. Michelle H. Martin and Dr. Rachelle D. Washington founded Read-a-Rama in 2009 at Clemson University, where it operated for four years. After Dr. Martin moved to University of SC in 2011, they ran camp from there for 3 years, then Read-a-Rama became a non-profit with the assistance of the U of SC Law Clinic. Dr. Martin moved to University of Washington in 2016, and since 2017, camp has been offered in Washington State. Virtual programming began in March 2020, and Read-a-Rama currently seeks to train adults across the country to offer Read-a-Rama programs. Staff and volunteers serving Read-a-Rama campers build cultural competence to cultivate relationships with children from all backgrounds.
OUR BELIEFS
All children can reach their highest potential;
100% engagement is good for all types of learners;
The creation and growth of home libraries positively contribute to literacy development;
All programming should embrace all types of diversity;
Cultural literacy comes through engaging community resources, such as field trips to local museums, businesses, and organizations;
Serving the whole child and their family brings positive results;
Parents and guardians are a child’s first teacher and should always be involved in their child’s learning;
Meaningful relationships between adults and children around books and literacy-rich activities positively contribute to children’s learning;
Read-a-Rama Programs must engage community assets—human, organizational, financial, and more—to model literacy and celebrate lifelong learning.
