Celebrating summer reading has become an annual event at the UVA Pediatric Clinic in Orange County. Charlottesville Hospital Education Program Educational Consultant, Mary Yowell, along with the Orange Clinic Medical Team developed the program six years ago to encourage children and teenagers to read during the summer months. Each participant completes a summer reading log which then becomes their ticket to attend the celebration at the end of the summer. This year’s party was held on August 7 and it included fun activities such as face painting, snow cones, and outside games. Magician Wes Iseli, added to the fun with his magic tricks and balloon animals. All participants were given a free book and prize for attending.1 There was a grand prize drawing and three lucky children received a Nook tablet.
Thanks to the Orange Clinic Medical Team, UVA Medical Students, Blue Ridge Care Connection for Children and community volunteers for making this event so successful. It is a wonderful way to foster family and clinic relationships while encouraging children to read throughout the year.
Mary Yowell
Educational Consultant
Charlottesville Hospital Education Program
University of Virginia Children’s Hospital
Students had a wide variety of books to select from Magician Wes Iseli mesmerizes families