by JIM CULLEN
Reading Heroes executive director Laura Younts works with students in a typical camp setting, working on a Wilson Reading activity. (Courtesy photo)
A popular local summer reading camp for students with dyslexia is back for its tenth year, under a new name and new leadership.
Laura Younts, a 1992 graduate of Hays High School, serves today as a teacher for the district’s homebound. Her husband Jason Younts, originally from George West, Texas, is a member of the faculty at Chapa Middle School.
Together, they’re leading the area’s annual summer dyslexia camp, held on the campus of Elm Grove Elementary School.
Formerly known as Magic Mirror, this summer’s 10th anniversary staging of the popular sessions will carry a new name, Reading Heroes. Laura says that, while the non-profit retains the earlier name, the updated title “reflects a new theme and we hope it will help people identify us more easily as a learning camp.”
The nonprofit organization focuses on students with dyslexia, and uses a faculty of a half dozen certified teachers to provide affordable attention to students with the disorder and other related disorders.
The camp also works with students not challenged by dyslexia, but who struggle with reading, spelling or writing. Teens with dyslexia volunteer, offering support within the classes and during games and activities. Of those teens, Younts says, “They sometimes get just as much out of the camp since they are in the atypical position of offering help instead of needing it. We consider them ‘reading heroes,’ as well!”
Camp founder and long-time president Bobbie Lenz stepped down from her post last summer. Laura Younts now heads the organization as its executive director, and her husband is serving as the camp’s president.
“It has always been such a wonderful program, benefiting so many children in our area and it is truly a dream job for teachers in the summer,” she says, adding, “We knew (with the Lenz resignation) what a shame it would be for this camp to dissolve.”
Her enthusiasm and Jason’s quickly translated into the necessary energy for successfully revitalizing the camp into its tenth year of existence. “We are overwhelmed and excited at the same time,” Laura admits.
Reading Heroes parents are allowed to choose the weeks they wish for their students (two-to four-week options, June 14-July 9), offering the chance to work around family vacations or other summer activities. Registration is $150 per week with a five-morning schedule. Room for more registrants is still available and information can be found at http://readingheroes.org/About.html.
