FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August, 18, 2004

Contact:
Rhonda Carpenter
Corporate Communications Specialist
rhondac@eckerd.org
727-461-2990

RIF Names Eckerd Youth Camp 2004 Florida Reading Champs

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. (RIF) recently named Eckerd Youth Alternatives' Camp E-Tu-Makee Florida's Small Site State Champion of "Read With Me: The 2004 RIF Community Reading Challenge." E-Tu-Makee earned the distinction from among more than 1,200 sites serving 350,000 children nationwide that pledged to participate in the national reading motivation competition. There was a small- and large-site winner from each state.

Located in Clewiston, Fla., Camp E-Tu-Makee is a residential treatment program operated by Eckerd Youth Alternatives (EYA), a private, non-private organization. The camp serves boys ages 10-17 with emotional or behavioral problems and helps them redirect their lives.

"Camp E-Tu-Makee's reading program exemplifies EYA's commitment to promoting literacy among our youth. Our students are discovering that reading is a positive, lifelong leisure activity through fun and motivating events like this one," said Keith Philipson, EYA's director of education. "E-Tu-Makee's staff has worked hard to make this an integral part of their comprehensive education program."

"Read With Me: The 2004 RIF Community Reading Challenge" is a two-week program designed to engage family members, communities and schools across the country in motivating children to read. MetLife Foundation presented the program.

"RIF salutes your efforts to inspire children to reach their reading goals, engage in literacy activities and garner community support for your literacy program," said RIF President and CEO Carol H. Rasco. "Your success will serve as a model for RIF programs across the country."

To celebrate E-Tu-Makee's success as a state champion, it received a gift card to purchase books, a medal for each participating youth, a commemorative certificate and flag, and materials to create a fun-filled awards ceremony.

RIF, founded in 1966, works to build a literate nation by helping young people discover the joy of reading. MetLife Foundation, established in 1976 by MetLife, supports health, education, and civic and cultural programs throughout the United States.

About Camp E-Tu-Makee
Camp E-Tu-Makee was established in 1983 and is located in Hendry County. As a year-round, outdoor therapeutic program, E-Tu-Makee helps at-risk boys ages 10-17 by providing behavioral treatment with a fully accredited educational component. It is one of five Eckerd Wilderness Education System camps in Florida and one of 18 outdoor therapeutic treatment programs Eckerd Youth Alternatives operates. In the Muskokee Native American language, E-Tu-Makee means "Side by Side."

About Eckerd Youth Alternatives
Eckerd Youth Alternatives is a private not-for-profit organization that serves more than 9,500 at-risk and troubled youth each year. Since 1968, more than 60,000 young people have been helped through a range of more than 40 residential and community-based Eckerd youth programs: outdoor therapeutic treatment programs, juvenile justice programs, follow-up ReEntry programs and Hi-Five early intervention and prevention services. Headquartered in Clearwater, Fla., Eckerd Youth Alternatives provides youth programs in seven states: Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Vermont, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. For more information, call 727-461-2990 or visit our Web site at www.eckerd.org.