When soon-to-be third-grader Burkelyn Allen got her letter in the mail that she would be attending the Junior League's reading camp next week, she carried the letter around with her the next day.
"She loves reading; she is so excited to go to camp," her mother, Natalie Allen, who is also a Junior League member, said. "We are fortunate to live in a community that supports the Junior League."
The Junior League of Tyler Inc., is celebrating its 20th year of Summer Reading Camp next week.
Summer Reading Camp is a weeklong, educational program for students entering the third grade in Tyler Independent School District.
"Summer Reading Camp engages students in reading, learning and excitement as they delve into age-appropriate stories and explore the magic of books," according to a news release.
This year, Summer Reading Camp is hosting a record 200 students from every elementary school in the district, each of whom will leave with new reading material to start their own libraries at home and to continue reading.
"Sometimes during the summer children won't read as much, so this helps bridge that gap," Mrs. Allen said.
The camp will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 16 to 20 at Jack Elementary School.
Each day of Summer Reading Camp features a different book, and activities for the day revolve around the theme of the story. Featured books this year include "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs," by Judi Barrett and "Goodnight Rose City," the first children's book published by the Junior League of Tyler, Inc. "Goodnight Rose City" highlights historic landmarks around Tyler.