The YMCA Reading Buddies Program encourages good literacy skills in children. The buddy becomes the listener and the audience as the child becomes the teller of the story.
YMCA Reading Buddies matches people from the community with students at Harris-Lake Park Elementary, Okoboji Elementary, and Spirit Lake Elementary schools. Buddies will meet with their students December through May of the school year.
YMCA Reading Buddies meet at the school of their choice on a set date and time to read with their assigned student for 30 minutes. The reading materials have learning objectives included with each packet. Each student receives books, school supplies, and a book bag through this program.
All volunteers must complete a volunteer application, pass a background check, complete an online child abuse training, and first-time Reading Buddy volunteers must attend a program information training.
Volunteer application can be found online at:
https://okobojiymca.com/volunteer-opportunities/
READING BUDDIES SCHEDULE FOR SCHOOL SITES (December – May):
Spirit Lake
TK – Mrs. Coates & Mrs. Black’s Classrooms (Joint Visit) | 2nd Tuesday of the month | 12:00-12:30PM
Harris-Lake Park
TK – Mrs. Hoerich’s Classroom | 2nd Wednesday of the month | 10:00-10:30AM
Okoboji
TK – Mrs. Gebel | 3rd Wednesday of the month | 12:00-12:30PM
Please contact Megan Ingvall at 712-336-9622 or [email protected] for more information!