SUMMER SOURCES MAY 2025

In this newsletter you will find helpful resources to keep you and your family engaged this summer! We have compiled a list of community resources, summer camps, and academic help to beat the heat and summer boredom.

Keeping up academically over the summer is crucial for growth in the fall. For children in grades kindergarten -8th, NWEA.ORG states that on average, test scores flatten or drop during the summer, with larger drops typically in math than reading. Help your child overcome the "lag" by using the links and information in this newsletter.

We hope you find this helpful and have a GREAT & SAFE SUMMER!

Catoosa Kid's Day

Join us on July 24, 2025, from 1:30-5:30pm at the Catoosa College & Career Academy for our annual Catoosa Kid's Day event.

190 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold, GA 30736

For additional information please contact:

Sandy at 423-421-4092 or

Jacy at 423-364-0763/catoosacollaborative@gmail.com

Click the picture above to learn about different summer camps that are offered this summer.

Weekly Themes, Ages 5-12, and lots of fun!

May 27-August 1, 2025

Contact information:

1735 Battlefield Parkway

Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. 30742

706-935-2226

ngaymca@ymcachattanooga.org

It's early registration time for the LFO Art Camp for ages +/- 5-13 years old being held

on June 17, 18, and 19 in room 402 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There will be 12 hours of STEAM learning at LFO HS with Art Club and Civic Arts League helpers.

The Artist Certificate, medal, and portfolio are included. Bring lunch, a water bottle,

and a plain T-shirt.

Please use our link to register:

https://forms.gle/y7uz7kVz4wLuxDfD8

Click any of the following buttons to learn about ways to keep your

children safe when they are online.

Traveling this summer?! Whether you are traveling solo, with family or friends, the excitement of a vacation may cause your guard to come down in regards to poison prevention.

The following safety tips highlight ways to avoid an accidental poisoning while traveling.

READ MORE HERE

Click the virtual room above for your child to learn all about Bike Safety!

Click the button above to learn about finding the helmet to keep your child's head safe.

Do Your Part to Be Water Smart This Summer!

We’re excited to share our free, updated Longfellow’s WHALE Tales Water Safety for Children program. The lessons focus on important water safety behaviors in different environments such as pools, waterparks, oceans, lakes and rivers. It includes interactive, fun group activities with live-action videos.

Go to RedCross.org/WHALETales to learn more about the program. Download the free digital program materials and report on how you have used them.

Parents and caregivers can download the free WHALE Tales materials at redcross.org/watersafetyforkids.

Click the above button for more swimming safety info.

Click the virtual room above for your child to learn all about Water Safety!

Summer is finally here which means the snakes are out and about.

While most snakes are harmless and play crucial roles in ecosystems, encounters with venomous species can be dangerous if not handled correctly. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, gardener, or simply enjoy spending time in nature, understanding snake safety is essential.

READ MORE HERE

Click the above button to find information on outdoor safety.

Click the virtual room above for your child to learn all about Sun Safety!

Click the above button to learn more sun safety tips.

The Library at Catoosa offers a variety of services, such as monthly activities for all ages, an outstanding Genealogy collection, and over 100,000 items in print and audiovisual formats to check out. At the library, they provide free Internet, access to Microsoft Office programs, GALILEO, GADD, and so much more! Our Catoosa County Library is a member of PINES, a public library lending network of more than 300 libraries throughout Georgia. Click the link to see more of what is happening at your local Library!

https://www.catoosacountylibrary.org/

Free family movies shown every Tuesday in June and July at Patriot Hall beside the Ringgold Pool. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Movie starts at 11 a.m. Concessions available for purchase.

DOORS OPEN AT 10:30 A.M. CONCESSIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE FOR $2.00 0R LESS.

Movie Schedule

June 3rd: Moana 2

June 10th: Encanto

June 17th: The Parent Trap

June 24th: Despicable Me 4

July 1st: Sonic the Hedgehog 3

July 8th: Yes Day

July 15th: Harold & the Purple Crayon

July 22nd: Dogman

July 29th: Inside Out 2

Stable 41 - Sundays 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

214 First Street Fort Oglethorpe GA

Join us for a free Family-Friendly Summer events series at the Northwest Georgia Amphitheater on the first and third Friday of the month from May - August! The night will kick off with live music by great local and regional bands from 6:30-8:30 PM, followed by a screening of a movie on our new 300" screen with a 4k enhanced laser projector. We'll have food and craft vendors on-site, along with a cornhole tournament with great prizes for winners!

INDEPENDANCE DAY CELEBRATION

Join us for this Catoosa County community event to kick off a fun day of activities leading up to the Catoosa County Fireworks Festival! This will be our 5th annual Run, White and Blue race! We will have goodie bags with discount coupons to several local restaurants as well as a super soft race t-shirt for participants. Register by the t-shirt deadline to guarantee your t-shirt! Registration will also be available until 7:15 a.m. on race day and at packet pickup on Thursday 4-6PM. All race participants in the 5K and one mile will receive a beautiful finisher medal!

Post race snacks and drinks will be provided.

Awards for the 5K only. Awards ceremony will take place at approximately 9:15 a.m.

Top three overall male and female

First place m/f Masters and Grand Masters

Top two m/f in the following age groups:

14 & under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & up

Most of our community churches will hold VBS either in June or July.

June 1 @Coolidge Park The Walnut Street Bridge Festival is back for its 3rd year in Chattanooga, and it’s going to be a blast! This year, the event will be held in Coolidge Park, not on the bridge, due to construction—but it’ll still be packed with fun!

Event Highlights Include:

* Delicious food trucks with a variety of tasty treats

* Live entertainment and local music performances

* KidZone with fun activities for children of all ages

* Pony rides for the little ones

* Local business vendors offering unique products and handmade goods

* Family-friendly activities for everyone to enjoy

Chattanooga Bowling Alleys that have the Kids Bowl Free Summer Program: https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/all_centers.php

Spare Time Chattanooga

Spare Time Hixson

Splitz Alley

https://www.milb.com/chattanooga

https://www.cdmfun.org/

MATH PRACTICE

Summer is a great time to review those math facts. There are several free websites that will allow your child to practice math facts as well as keep them reviewing other math skills. Below are some different websites that offer free practice. Just keep learning!

https://www.mathgames.com/

https://pbskids.org/games/math

https://www.mathmammoth.com/practice/addition-single-digit

SUMMER READING

Keep your child's learning on an upward trajectory over the summer months. Encourage them to read a little every day. Please click on the link below for 10 weeks of summer reading ideas.

Reading Rockets Summer Reading Ideas

https://pbskids.org/games/reading

Summer Bridge Information

These guides are from the GPB website. They contain ideas for how to get your child ready for school. Click on the grade your child will be entering next school year for some great tips!

Pre-K

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

Middle School

This website also has guides for grades K-3rd https://getgeorgiareading.org/getting-ready-guides/

Finding Help Georgia is an easy way for residents to get connected with help, based on our comprehensive directory of local resources that will help strengthen families.

https://findhelpga.org/ On the website, type in your zip code and it will list places that you can find food help, shelter help, health/medical help, etc...

Catoosa County is dedicated to supporting its residents by offering a wide range of valuable resources designed to assist citizens in various aspects of their lives.