To help youngsters prepare for kindergarten this fall, Our Lady of Consolation Early Learning Center (OLC-ELC), located at the Schneider Parish Center, 2995 Cemetery Road, Parkesburg, will offer a Kindergarten Jumpstart Camp. Camp will take place from Monday, Aug. 19, through Friday, Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. A half-day option is also available.

The first-time camp is being led by teachers Shelly Carr and Janice Dagney; Dagney is the parish's director of religious education. "We are both certified teachers, and we have been both teaching for 20-plus years," noted Dagney.

A fee will be charged per child to attend camp, which is designed to simulate a typical week of kindergarten. "We will do what local kindergarten classes do so (children) are confident knowing what is expected," said Dagney. "We will do centers, circle time and have some (indoor and outdoor) cooperative play."

Children will be asked to bring their own lunches; snacks will be provided. Before- and after-camp care will be available for an additional fee.

Dagney said the camp may help children who have fears about entering a formal education program for the first time. "There will be a lot of nerves, and hopefully this will eliminate or alleviate some of that," she stated.

To register or for more details about the camp, contact Dagney at jdagney@olcchurch.org or 610-857-0511. Class size is limited.

Dagney is also one of the event organizers of the annual OLC-ELC craft fair. This year's event, now in its 38th year, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Schneider Parish Center. In addition to crafts sold by more than 40 vendors on two floors, the event will feature homemade food, a visit by Santa Claus, face painting, a chance to win themed gift baskets and door prizes donated by the craft vendors.

Registration is currently open for vendors and crafters to participate. Those interested in setting up a booth at the fair may contact Dagney for more details.

More information about the kindergarten camp and the craft fair can be found at http://www.facebook.com/olcchurch/events.