Camp Fire Style Literacy Nights Scheduled at Area Schools

Family Literacy Nights will be staged at area schools during the spring by Project Sussex Kids, the Sussex County Council for Young Children.  Young children and their families will be invited to join organizers around a play campfire to enjoy reading books together at the imaginary Camp Read S’More.  Information about community resources will be distributed to parents.  Dinner, crafts, and fun activities will round out the evening.  Events have been planned for Franklin Borough School, Hudson Maxim Elementary School, Merriam Avenue School, Stanhope Elementary School, Stillwater Elementary School, and the Walnut Ridge Primary School.  Programs for additional schools are in the works.

“These Family Literacy Nights encourage parents and children to unplug and unwind, and come together over a shared activity,” notes Project Sussex Kids Coordinator Haley McCracken.  “We will be reading books and sharing activities about the outdoors, camping, night time, animals, and enjoying everyone’s favorite camp fire treat, s’mores!”

Project Sussex Kids, the Sussex County Council for Young Children, has been designed by the New Jersey Department of Children & Families to address the needs of local families who are expecting or who are parenting young children.  County Councils for Young Children have been established in all of the state’s 21 counties to bring together parents, caregivers, as well as health, education and social service professionals to enhance communication, coordination and collaboration of services.  Additional information is available at www.projectsussexkids.org.   To schedule a Camp Read S’More Family Literacy Night, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.

Free Story Time Activity for Young Children Hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency

Project Self-Sufficiency will host a free story time activity for young children on Tuesdays, July 5^th, 12^th, 19^th, and 26^th, from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.  Children in grades 1 – 3 are invited to eat lunch during story time, and then engage in crafts, relay races, giant board games, dancing, building activities and more.  The Lunch Bunch is sponsored by the Sussex County Library system.  Refreshments and childcare will be provided.  Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  The Lunch Bunch activity is free and open to the public, but space is limited and registration is required.  To register, call the Sussex County Library at 973-948-3660 or register online at http://sussexcountylibrary.org/summer16/.