Students who are participating in Camp Catch Up tour the Russellville post office as one of several field trips planned for the program.

By Kadin Pounders for the FCT

A small group of students visited the Russellville Post Office June 10 to gain a better understanding of how the United States Postal Service works and how the citizens of Russellville receive their mail each day.

The group was a part of Camp Catch Up, an initiative of the Franklin County T.R.A.C.K.S. program that allows students from fourth through eighth grade to “catch up” or receive remediation in certain subjects areas.

“Our mission is just to build a love for learning, (share) the importance of education and just tie that in with local employment opportunities,” said Cynthia Scott, the site lead teacher.

The “camp,” which is located at Belgreen High School, enrolls 25 students. The students receive one-on-one and small group lessons taught by highly qualified teachers.

During the two-week program, the students are visited by motivational speakers and also receive instruction on other things that might not be discussed in a typical classroom setting, such as study habits and skills.

The students’ trip to the post office was a part of the program’s weekly goal to educate the students on employment opportunities.

“We want (the students) to set a purpose for themselves,” said Scott, a retired, 28-year teaching veteran. “If I want to work for the post office, there are goals I’ve got to meet. We’ve got to know the qualifications. A lot of these kids don’t know that.”

The group also visited Luketown Cemetery in Russellville to see the Chucky Mullins grave site earlier that same morning.

“A lot of these kids have no role models,” said Scott. “We did (Chucky Mullins’) story just because of his character to motivate them and (teach them) not to limit themselves because of their background.”

Camp Catch Up and the T.R.A.C.K.S. program are not just about textbooks and traditional learning. They go beyond that to give students a more well-rounded view of the importance of education.

“We’re trying to teach students and instill in them that they can do whatever they want to do and just to educate them on the community and their surroundings,” said Scott.

The camp’s ultimate goal is to create an enthusiasm for school when it is time for students return in the fall.

“(The goal) is to provide learning opportunities, develop a love for learning and motivate them to go back to school with a passion for learning,” said Scott. “T