Let’s talk about Camp iRock and early grade reading.

A few weeks ago, I was sitting at a Rotary gathering and the general manager of one of our larger manufacturers was lamenting about having trouble filling more than 20 positions with qualified candidates. Three road blocks he mentioned were passing a drug test, having no criminal record and being literate.

This wasn’t the first time I had heard the same story about the challenges of finding qualified employees. You may be asking yourself, “Where is she going with this?”

I am shouting from the rooftops that being able to read proficiently by the end of 3rd grade is so critical for the future of our community. In preparation for writing dozens of grant proposals for Camp iRock, I have read just about every report about the devastation that will occur if we don’t address early education now.

Did you know that third grade reading abilities are a predictor of high school dropout and graduation? Dropping out starts way before high school. Research tells us that some of it stems from loss of interest and motivation in middle school, often triggered by retention in grade and the struggle to keep up academically. A major cause of retention is failure to master the knowledge and content needed to progress on time. In many cases, that is a result of not being able to read proficiently by as early as fourth grade.

There are important and life altering consequences for struggling readers…earning potential and general productivity for one. According to the latest census data, the median income for a high school dropout is $20,241 per year. That is $10,386 less than the typical high school graduate and $36,424 less than someone with a college degree.

We know why some children are struggling. The gap begins at birth and continues before they get to school. Health issues, and early interactions that foster language development are often lacking, especially in low income families.

We know that two-thirds of low income families have no age appropriate books in the home. That is why Camp iRock campers take home a minimum of 10 new books of their very own — books they choose for themselves.

I will never forget how excited one of our campers was when he realized that the books we gave him were his. It was like a lifetime of my Christmases rolled up in one seemingly small gesture.

Children distracted by hunger and food insecurity have trouble learning. Teachers tell us that hungry children feel sick, tired, and cranky and have a harder time concentrating on their studies. Pickens County does an amazing job making sure children are fed and the three Camp iRock sites are purposely located at summer feeding sites.

One of last year’s Camp iRock directors gave me a crash course in recognizing families and children who are hungry … that was a lesson I hated to learn. We make sure there is food at every Camp iRock event including family nights. Now that I can recognize hungry families, I box up left overs and discretely pass them out.

Pickens County can make life better for our children and their families because our ability and willingness to collaborate is unmatched. Alone, we are isolated on a desert island but together, we can — no, we will — change the world.

Camp iRock is a sterling example of a community stepping up to champion for grade reading proficiency.

The word is out. No longer are we having to plead our case so families will encourage their child to attend Camp iRock. This year, 300 striving readers will have the summer experience of a lifetime and prove just how smart they really are. Camp iRock: iRead, iRise, iRock.

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By Julie Capaldi

Contributing Columnist

Julie Capaldi is president of United Way of Pickens County. She can be reached at jcapaldi@uwpickens.org or 864-850-7094, extension 101.