YMCA to give free books to Youth Summer Camp participants

On Friday, August 31, 2012, over 100 smiling Y summer campers will be the recipient of a new hard bound copy of the children’s book “Free To Be Me,” by Rev. Dr. Dale Turner (1917 - 2006).

Rev. Dr. Dale Turner was passionate about youth development and community building, two values the YMCA also holds in high esteem. The Y is proud to present his book, a collection of short stories and life lessons, to the summer campers as part of the Y’s efforts to emphasize reading as a way to combat summer learning loss that many students experience during their extended summer months away from school.

The books will be given to participants at 10:00am in the Dale Turner Family YMCA’s Outdoor Day Camp program at Shoreview Park, located at 912 Innis Arden Way, in Shoreline. Summer campers will read their stories then reconvene at 12:30pm to do reflection activities such as role-playing, artwork, and group discussion.

Reflection activities give campers the opportunities to express their “voice and choice.” When campers use their own voice and choice it creates more ownership of their personal camp experience causing participants to be more engaged, energetic, and active. In addition, group reflection activities have the ability to impact important life attributes in a positive way such as improving reading comprehension, self-esteem, decision making, leadership skills, teamwork, and critical thinking.

Rev. Dr. Dale Turner

The author of “Free To Be Me,” Rev. Dr. Dale Turner, supported the YMCA for several years in addition to being a regular contributor to the Seattle Times for twenty-one years. He had such an important role in the Y that his name is now part of the YMCA branch located in Shoreline, off of North 192nd Street and Aurora Ave North.

For more information about Y Summer Camps, please call the Dale Turner Family YMCA at 206 363 0446 or visit Y Summer.