Providers: Help Spread the Word About Camp!
“Once Upon a Time” from Camp Sparkler
- What: Camp Sparkler is a FREE virtual summer camp for families with children from birth through 5 years old! Everything is in English, Spanish & Chinese.
- When: Camp Sparkler will run for eight weeks, starting July 8, 2024.
- Once Upon a Time: Listen to a weekly folktale told by a storyteller from the culture where the story originated.
- Play: Play to learn with weekly learning activities for parents/caregivers and children to play together, inspired by the story of the week.
Share to Spark Summer Play and Learning!
- Media Kit: Please use the “media kit” below to spread the word and let families know about Camp Sparkler!
- Hashtags: #CampSparkler #OnceUponATime
- Tags: @playsparkler on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Materials Providers Can Print and Share
Double-sided palm card (which is a postcard that you don’t mail!) about Camp Sparkler, which you can print and share with families.
The Stories
Each week of camp, there will be (1) a story and (2) associated play activities. Families can access all the content via the app.
The stories will appear in the app for families under “PLAY.” Providers can play the story videos or share story sheets in English, Spanish, or Chinese for read alouds.
Kit of Social Media Posts for Providers to Share With Families About Camp
Please share the following posts on social media, in newsletters, or in other communications with families! Hashtags: #CampSparkler #OnceUponATime / Tags: @playsparkler on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Anytime This Summer!
#OnceUponATime at #CampSparkler is BACK for another fun-filled summer of learning and exploring stories from around the world! Families can listen to diverse storytellers share folktales from their culture and play along with their children from birth through 5 years old. It’s FREE and virtual via the @playsparkler mobile app. Camp starts July 8 and runs for 8 weeks in English, Spanish, and Chinese. Learn more about Camp and the badges and prizes your family can earn for participating: www.PlaySparkler.org/CampSparkler24.
Week 1, July 8-14: The Story of the Coqui, a story from Puerto Rico
It’s the first week of #OnceUponATime at #CampSparkler! Listen to “The Story of the Coqui,” a Puerto Rican story as told by Luz Rivera from the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood , and play along in Sparkler’s app to learn and grow together. All families using the @playsparkler mobile app with children from birth through age 5 are eligible to participate. To win badges and prizes, press “We Did It” and share a photo on the play card. Learn more: www.PlaySparkler.org/CampSparkler24.
Week 2, July 15-21: The Magpie’s Nest, a story from the United Kingdom
This week at Camp Sparkler, travel to the United Kingdom to hear a story that explains why birds build different nests, “The Magpie’s Nest,” then play and learn together with your child right in the @PlaySparkler app. The more you play, the greater your chances of earning badges and prizes. Just tap “We Did It” in the play card and upload a photo of your fun times! #OnceUponaTime #CampSparkler
Week 3, July 22-28: The Flying Africans, a story from the Southern United States
Have you ever imagined what it would feel like to fly? This week at Camp Sparkler, South Carolina-born actor Devante Owens tells a story called “The Flying Africans.” Open your @PlaySparkler app to hear Devante, and then play along with your child to explore ideas from the story! To earn badges and prizes, you must press “We Did It” and submit a photo on the play card! #onceuponatime #campsparkler
Week 4, July 29-Aug 4: The Fox and the Mole, a story from Peru
Once Upon A Time in Peru, people told a story called “The Fox and the Mole.” This week at #onceuponatime at Camp Sparkler, Peruvian journalist and tourism guide Gabriela Cavero Sibille shares her version of the story! Log into your @PlaySparkler app to hear the story and explore some nature activities with your child. Let’s learn and play together! Win badges and prizes by pressing “We Did It” on the play cards and submitting a photo of your activity! #campsparkler
Week 5, Aug 5-11: Goat’s Encounter with Tiger, a story from West Africa
This week at Camp Sparkler, travel to West Africa to hear the story, “Goat’s Encounter with Tiger,” as told by the professor and storyteller Dr. Raouf Mama. Then, play and learn together with your child right in the @PlaySparkler app! The more you play, the greater your chances of earning badges and prizes. Just tap “We Did It” in the play card and upload a photo of your fun times! #OnceUponaTime #CampSparkler
Week 6, Aug 12-18: The Hill of Seven Colors, a story from Argentina
Once Upon A time in Argentina, an ordinary hill became extraordinary! Listen to Mariela Cohen Sabban share the Argentinian story, “The Hill of Seven Colors.” Then, log into your @PlaySparkler app to hear the story and explore some nature activities with your child. Let’s learn and play together! Win badges and prizes by pressing “We Did It” on the play cards and submitting a photo of your activity! #campsparkler
Week 7, Aug 19-25: The Businessman and the Donkey, a story from Ethiopia
Week 8, Aug 26-Sept 1: Good Little Bunnies, a story from China
This week at Camp Sparkler, come with us to China to hear the story, “Good Little Bunnies,” as told by our friend Courtney Wong Chin. Then, play and learn together with your child right in the @PlaySparkler app! This week is your last chance to play, and increase your chances of earning badges and prizes. Just tap “We Did It” in the play card and upload a photo of your fun times! #OnceUponaTime #CampSparkler
Camp Info for Families
Website for Families: If you have families in your program who want to learn more about Once Upon a Time from Camp Sparkler, please direct them to playsparkler.org/campsparkler24.
Questions: Support@playsparkler.org