Slow Down and Read S’More

As part of an ongoing effort towards intentional community-building, Lower School recently hosted Camp Read S’More, a K-5 family night to celebrate literacy.  Between jam-packed schedules and long to-do lists, families are rarely able to slow down and enjoy quality time together. A terrific committee made up of faculty and staff (Caroline Turelier, Kenny Chilton, Erin Taft, and Priya Kenny) and several fantastic fifth grade volunteers (Kameron, Charlie, Vivi, William, Thomas Henry, Alex, Colette, Kiran, Ruby, Helena, Lillian, and Lark) made the inaugural Camp Read S’More a truly special night!

To start the night, families joined for dinner in Nazro Hall. Fifth grade committee members created special table tents with book-themed conversation starters, so families could chat about their favorite characters, book genres, and more while they ate.

After dinner, families gathered to hear from children’s author Anne Wynter, whose books have won the Ezra Jack Keats Award, the Golden Kite Award, and the Writers League of Texas Book Award. Anne spoke to families, then read several of her books, including her brand-new release, While We're Here– one of the first times she had read it to a large crowd. Released just a few days before the event, While We’re Here tells the story of a busy mother and daughter rushing through Central Park to a birthday party, only to find they have the wrong day. Instead of turning back, they slow down and simply enjoy each other and the park around them– a message perfectly suited for the night itself! 

Following the read-aloud, families headed outside to the field. A hot Texas day gave way to a perfect spring evening, as a breeze rolled in and the sun slowly set. The field filled with blankets as families sat side by side to read with each other. Fifth grade committee members even managed a traveling library filled with extra library books, making sure every family had something to read.

One more storytime closed the night– an improvisational read-aloud of Bear and the Three Goldilocks by Patrick Horne. Several teachers filled out the cast of characters, acting out the story on the fly. When it came time in the story to meet Mama and Papa Bear, teachers pulled parents straight from the audience to play the parts (bravo to our unsuspecting actors, who truly committed to their roles)! As families headed home, student committee members gave each family s’mores kits to enjoy at home. This was the first Camp Read S’More, but it certainly won’t be the last!

It was a wonderful evening of community building and family fun. Thank you so much to the Camp Read S’More planning committee – a special shoutout to the fifth grade volunteers, who put so much heart and hard work into this inaugural event. We can’t wait for next year!