SULLIVAN COUNTY — Young learners at St. John Street Community School and George Cooke Elementary got an unforgettable boost in literacy this week as the ABC Bootcamp came to town. Led by National Director Marlaina Williford and her energetic team, the program transformed early reading instruction into an action-packed learning experience.

On Thursday, October 16, pre-K students at St. John Street Community School participated in the bootcamp, followed by kindergarteners at George Cooke Elementary on Friday. Using a playful Army-themed backdrop, the ABC Bootcamp team taught students foundational reading strategies, letter recognition, and letter sounds—all while building confidence and enthusiasm for learning.

The event culminated in a high-energy obstacle course that challenged students to use the literacy skills they had learned to advance through each station. Laughter, cheers and teamwork filled the room as students combined physical activity with phonics practice, creating a joyful and memorable learning experience.

The ABC Bootcamp continues to inspire educators and students across the region by showing that learning can be both rigorous and fun, laying a strong foundation for future reading success.