Wednesday, June 24, 2026
STUART, Fla. — The Education Foundation of Martin County has received a $50,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties to support a summer reading camp for rising third-grade students in Martin County.
The four-week program is serving approximately 84 Martin County School District students who need additional literacy support before entering third grade. Through 120 hours of instruction, students are strengthening foundational reading skills, building vocabulary and improving comprehension while participating in hands-on learning experiences.
This year’s camp is centered on the essential question, “How do living things survive in their environment?” Students are exploring animals, habitats and adaptations through engaging lessons, interactive activities and real-world learning opportunities designed to make reading meaningful and fun.
“The excitement we are seeing from students is incredible,” said Lisa Rhodes, executive director of the Education Foundation of Martin County. “They are asking questions, making connections and building confidence in their reading skills while having fun learning about the world around them. We are grateful to the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties for making this opportunity possible.”
A highlight of the program will be a visit from the Treasure Coast Wildlife Center, where students can observe live animals and connect classroom learning to real-life examples of adaptation and survival.
The camp is designed to help students strengthen literacy skills before the transition to third grade, a critical point in a child’s academic journey when students move from learning to read to reading to learn. By providing targeted instruction and enriching learning experiences during the summer months, the program aims to help students enter the school year prepared for success.
Students and teachers are using a variety of hands-on materials and activities to bring lessons to life. Classrooms are filled with curiosity, collaboration and enthusiasm as students build knowledge and confidence while developing a love of reading.
“Opportunities like these are so valuable to our students,” said Courtney Beard, K-5 English Language Arts program specialist for the Martin County School District. “We are grateful for our partnership with the Education Foundation of Martin County, which helps make these meaningful learning experiences possible for our students.”
About the Education Foundation of Martin County
The Education Foundation of Martin County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching and enhancing educational opportunities and support for students and teachers throughout Martin County through innovative programs, strategic partnerships and community investment. Learn more at EducationFoundationMC.org.
About the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties is a nonprofit organization that leads philanthropy locally. Since 1972, the foundation has distributed over $250 million in grants and scholarships aimed at closing the area’s opportunity gaps. Learn more at YourCommunityFoundation.org.
# # #
The four-week program is serving approximately 84 Martin County School District students who need additional literacy support before entering third grade. Through 120 hours of instruction, students are strengthening foundational reading skills, building vocabulary and improving comprehension while participating in hands-on learning experiences.
This year’s camp is centered on the essential question, “How do living things survive in their environment?” Students are exploring animals, habitats and adaptations through engaging lessons, interactive activities and real-world learning opportunities designed to make reading meaningful and fun.
“The excitement we are seeing from students is incredible,” said Lisa Rhodes, executive director of the Education Foundation of Martin County. “They are asking questions, making connections and building confidence in their reading skills while having fun learning about the world around them. We are grateful to the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties for making this opportunity possible.”
A highlight of the program will be a visit from the Treasure Coast Wildlife Center, where students can observe live animals and connect classroom learning to real-life examples of adaptation and survival.
The camp is designed to help students strengthen literacy skills before the transition to third grade, a critical point in a child’s academic journey when students move from learning to read to reading to learn. By providing targeted instruction and enriching learning experiences during the summer months, the program aims to help students enter the school year prepared for success.
Students and teachers are using a variety of hands-on materials and activities to bring lessons to life. Classrooms are filled with curiosity, collaboration and enthusiasm as students build knowledge and confidence while developing a love of reading.
“Opportunities like these are so valuable to our students,” said Courtney Beard, K-5 English Language Arts program specialist for the Martin County School District. “We are grateful for our partnership with the Education Foundation of Martin County, which helps make these meaningful learning experiences possible for our students.”
About the Education Foundation of Martin County
The Education Foundation of Martin County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching and enhancing educational opportunities and support for students and teachers throughout Martin County through innovative programs, strategic partnerships and community investment. Learn more at EducationFoundationMC.org.
About the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties is a nonprofit organization that leads philanthropy locally. Since 1972, the foundation has distributed over $250 million in grants and scholarships aimed at closing the area’s opportunity gaps. Learn more at YourCommunityFoundation.org.
# # #
