Campers visit the SILS library

SILS library has been one of the favorite stops on campus for rising first graders who are participating in an eight week long summer program called Carolina Kids Camp.

Monica Jochum, camp counselor and public school
teacher in Burlington, NC, reads from a story
book to the campers.

Two groups of about 20 young readers along with their counselors, have visited the SILS Library each day of camp, making good use of the Library's rich juvenile collection. The campers are excited to select books to read while others listen intently as camp counselors read to them. Storytelling time expands when SILS executive assistant, Susan Sylvester, provides stories and illustrations for the campers.

Matt Wood, SILS graduate student and library research assistant this summer, and Kate Barnhart, library technical assistant, are excited that the Library has been a stop on the Carolina Kids Camp program and to witness the young patrons as they select and read the books.

"We enjoy having them here," said Barnhart. "When they open our books, they open their minds. They obviously love having so many books waiting for them. It's wonderful to watch."

Participants in the camp are children of faculty, staff and students of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

According to the Web site, the objectives of the Carolina Kids Camp program are to:

• Engage campers in a variety of activities, including (but not limited to) sports, games, swimming and drama
• Learn to better cooperate and communicate with others through interactions in groups and activities
• Become familiar with and discover resources at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Explore the natural areas on campus
• Have fun!