The Magic Bus

 

 

The Magic Bus

The Magic Bus program, funded by Valley Vail Foundation, and operated by The Youth Foundation is a unique literacy-based opportunity for under-served families in Eagle County. The Magic Bus provides unique and exciting pre-school experiences for children ages 3 to 5 years old who are not enrolled in a traditional preschool program. Often times, children who do not have the opportunity to attend a preschool program, start kidergarten without the skills needed to be successful. The Youth Foundation staff, along with the childrens' parents and caretakers, help better prepare these children for school.

Equipped with a mobile library with high quality, culturally diverse children's literature, story-time activities, and follow-up activities for caretakers and families, all available in English and Spanish, children are experiencing the importance of play and discovery. The Magic Bus provides parents and caretakers with guidance and activities that they can use at home with their children. The Magic Bus supports families by making a weekly visit to the community in which they live and there, professional Youth Foundation staff conduct 1 hour preschool classes. The program serves more than 100 families each week.  The Magic Bus run five days per week, and currently serves neighborhoods in Avon, Eagle-Vail, Edwards, Eagle and Gypsum. Best of all . . . the Magic Bus program is FREE of charge!

The Magic  Bus program is a collaborative effort between The Youth Foundation, The Vail Valley Foundation, Vail Resorts, local childcare providers, Early Childhood Connections, school-district teachers and a multitude of community partners.

Importance of Early Learning:

• 85% of brain development occurs by age 5
• Exploration and discovery are important experiences for children who will become inquisitive learners and critical thinkers
• Reading aloud helps to expand pre-schooler's vocabulary

For more information please call:
Deb Dutmer at (970) 471-2542 or para Espanol marque Maria Calvo (970) 376-8851

The Book Buddy Program

The Book Buddy Program provides unique and exciting experiences for children with scheduled weekly stops throughout Leadville. This mobile library is equipped with hundreds of age appropriate books for children to borrow, encouraging a lifelong love of reading. And the best feature of all, is the Book Buddy van goes right to where the children live! A friendly, knowledgeable Youth Foundation staff person helps children select just the right book to enhance their reading abilities!

Thanks to Gerald Gallegos and the Gallegos Corporation, this year a new Book Buddy bus hit the road and is better equipped than ever with great reading materials to spark the imagination of every child!