Makayla Williams laid on the floor of Joy Kawaoka’s classroom at Cedar Valley Elementary next to her ‘mat man.’

Kawaoka got on a step ladder and took a photo of Williams next to the figure made with construction paper and wood.

This was one of many activities on a Thursday morning at a kindergarten readiness camp Kawaoka has volunteered at since its inception in 2009. Kawaoka, a kindergarten teacher, works with fellow Cedar Valley educator Jackie Mann in partnership with Mountain Vineyard Fellowship.

“Our kids weren’t coming in prepared,” Mann said. “We wanted to find something that would address that.”

It started with a conversation, explained Karen Evans, who serves on the board of directors for Mountain Vineyard.

“Back in 2008 and 2009, we had been talking to various people connected with Cedar Valley, current and previous principals, PTA presidents, the Cedar Valley family advocate, etc. and they were all very concerned about the fact that kids were coming into kindergarten and were not ready,” Evans wrote in an email. “Many were at a 2 and 3 year old developmental level. They didn’t know their colors, their numbers or even recognize their name in writing. Without these basics, the first couple of months of kindergarten was spent making up for skills they were lacking.”

This camp is one of several programs through which Mountain Vineyard supports Cedar Valley.

“It’s just a way that we can serve Cedar Valley and the community,” Evans said. “If kids can get ready for kindergarten it will give them the confidence… even long term when they get to Kentlake.”

In the first two years of the camp it was targeted at kindergarteners who were identified in a screening as in need of extra academic support.

This year, Evans noted, it was opened up to all students who will enter kindergarten at Cedar Valley in September.

Another addition this year is Danielle Ness, a teacher in the Issaquah School District who attends Mountain Vineyard, who is volunteering at the camp.

This allows Mann to float between the groups during the session at Cedar Valley. It was the first time the students had been in a classroom.

Mann has previously taught other grade levels in elementary school, so, she knows what students need to know by the time they reach third grade.

“My passion is the young child,” Mann said. “But, with that other perspective, I know where they need to go and how fast they need to get there.”

Every Tuesday and Thursday for three weeks, Mann, Kawaoka, Ness and volunteers work with the youngsters.

While the program has evolved, the fundamental mission hasn’t changed, Mann said, and the impacts were seen immediately.

“What we found the first year… the kids would be so excited the would go home and want to practice or sing the songs,” she said. “With that down time they found that they would be excited to come back.”

Parent involvement is crucial and they are expected to volunteer at least once during the camp.

“All of our volunteers are incredible,” Mann said. “The parents that are here are learning, too.”

It has also provided an opportunity for older students to volunteer. Mann said that a pair of Kentlake students came in and helped out with a project on July 19.

And as the third incarnation of the camp wraps up, Mann said, they’ve learned a few things along the way.

“What we do has become clearer,” she said. “We’re focusing on the activity rather than focusing on the skill.”

For example, the mat man activity is about some basic drawing skills, which in turn are the foundation for writing.

“Just being introduced to those basic skills,” Mann said. “And when a grown up is talking to you, you have to listen and do what they ask. We support the process of trying and doing your best. We have a lot of support and that’s huge.”

A volunteer’s presence had a huge impact after the first year, Mann said.

“One of the volunteers was someone who helped me in my classroom,” she said. “One of the kids who had been in kindergarten camp, he was so shy, he wouldn’t leave mom. She was sitting at a desk (on the first day of school) building something. He saw her, went in and sat down. He had the social readiness to be in school.”