PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Joan Whitson, Early Literacy Outreach Manager
Email: jwhitson@elcnorthflorida.org
Phone: (904) 342-2267
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and Amazing Grace Crop Maze Host Literacy Event
GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla., October 29, 2019 – The Early Learning Coalition of North Florida (ELC) hosted their fourth early literacy Fall event at the Amazing Grace Crop Maze in Green Cove Springs. Twenty-one local preschools attended the day’s event for a total of almost 500 children.
During the morning hours, the venue provided hay rides to preschool children which drove them through pumpkin patches. In the afternoon, there was a crop-maze science adventure. Children also enjoyed a mini hay bale maze and were included in other various farm attractions such as rat rollers, duck races, a giant corn popper trampoline and visiting Uncle Buck’s farm animals.
What makes ELC days at the maze so special is that along with all of the regular farm activities like the corn maze, tractor rides, a petting zoo, jump pad, ball zone and corn play bins, the children get to make a fun fall craft with the help of the ELC outreach team. The children are also read the story “Spookley the Square Pumpkin” and are given a free copy of the book to take home. Child care providers in attendance from Bradford, Clay, Putnam, St. Johns and Duval counties received a bagful of assorted Spookley books as well as other Fall-related books.
The ELC is happy to have this partnership with the Amazing Grace Crop Maze. “Getting kids to experience the farm and learn more about agriculture is such a good educational experience,” said Joan Whitson, ELC outreach coordinator for the event.
The Early Learning Coalition is the leading voice in six counties for child care. ELC works with many other local agencies to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. Their mission is achieved by leading projects that increase the quality and availability of child care professionals, and advocate child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. To learn more about the Early Learning Coalition of North Florida and how assist in ensuring quality child care for all families, visit us at www.elcnorthflorida.org.
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Early Learning Coalition of North Florida (ELC) volunteers Che’ Russell, Bonnie Nakino, Erika Bauserman and ELC Outreach Coordinator Joan Whitson enjoying story time with Spookley the Square Pumpkin at Amazing Grace Crop Maze on October 9, 2019.
VPK students from Lake Asbury Elementary waiting to get on the tractor ride at Amazing Grace Crop Maze on October 16, 2019.