The Literacy & Learning Center

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Highlands, NC
The Literacy & Learning Center

MISSION
The Literacy & Learning Center promotes lifelong learning through free educational programs for people of all ages.

VISION
Our vision is an informed and empowered community created by learning opportunities available to everyone.

05/27/2026

☀️ Ready for Summer? Registration is OPEN for our TL&LC Summer Camps! 🎒✨

A 4th summer camp option has been added to our 2026 lineup:

NEW: Digital Light Show Creation Camp (5 – 12th Grade)
June 30 - July 1
12 - 3 pm
Led by: Dale McGiboney
Come and illustrate creations that will be turned into a digital light show for all to experience!

🎨 Craft Camp (3rd – 5th Grade)
June 8 – 12
12 – 3 pm
Led by: Kara Long
Dive into imaginative art-making and hands-on projects! Campers will explore new materials and build creative confidence.

🖌️ Art Camp (K – 2nd Grade)
June 22 – 26 | 9 am – 12 pm
Led by: Carolyn Middlebrooks
A playful, hands-on experience where our youngest artists can express their creativity through colorful craft projects!

🌲 Adventure Camp (1st – 4th Grade)
July 20 – 24 | 10 am – 1 pm
Led by: Kara Long & Carolyn Middlebrooks
Action-packed fun! Kids will enjoy walking field trips around Highlands and exciting outdoor games. Note: Please pack a lunch! 🧺

Spaces are limited, so be sure to secure your spot soon! 🏃‍♂️💨

📍 Location: The Literacy & Learning Center
🔗 Register today: https://www.theliteracyandlearningcenter.org/youthor contact Kara Long at [email protected] or 828-526-0863 for more info!

05/13/2026

WE WANT… candy, ice cream, more recess… YOU!

NOW ENROLLING!

Apply today for TL&LC’s FREE Pre-K 2026-27!

For 3- and 4-year-olds
• Must be toilet trained
• Parent/guardian and child must attend a play-based assessment at TL&LC
• Parent/guardian must agree to TL&LC policies
• Parent/guardian agrees to read to child at least 15 minutes per day
• Students must bring their snacks each day

APPLY at TheLiteracyandLearningCenter.org/pre-k

828-526-0863
TheLiteracyandLearningCenter.org
CMiddlebrooks@ TheLiteracyandLearningCenter.org

04/27/2026

☀️ Ready for Summer? Registration is OPEN for our TL&LC Summer Camps! 🎒✨

We have three incredible weeks of fun, creativity, and exploration lined up for our students. Check out our 2026 lineup:

🎨 Craft Camp (3rd – 5th Grade)
Dates: June 8 – 12 | 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Led by: Kara Long
Dive into imaginative art-making and hands-on projects! Campers will explore new materials and build creative confidence.

🖌️ Art Camp (K – 2nd Grade)
Dates: June 22 – 26 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Led by: Carolyn Middlebrooks
A playful, hands-on experience where our youngest artists can express their creativity through colorful craft projects!

🌲 Adventure Camp (1st – 4th Grade)
Dates: July 20 – 24 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Led by: Kara Long & Carolyn Middlebrooks
Action-packed fun! Kids will enjoy walking field trips around Highlands and exciting outdoor games. Note: Please pack a lunch! 🧺

Spaces are limited, so be sure to secure your spot soon! 🏃‍♂️💨

📍 Location: The Literacy & Learning Center
🔗 Register today: https://www.theliteracyandlearningcenter.org/youthor contact Kara Long at [email protected] or 828-526-0863 for more info!

04/24/2026

🕺 Get Ready to S**g! The Swingin’ Soiree is Back! 💃

Dust off your dancing shoes! The legendary Swingin’ Medallions are returning to Highlands for a “Triple Shot” performance at our annual spring fundraiser. Join us for a high-energy night of beach music, community spirit, and classic fun!

📅 When: Sunday, July 12
🕕 Time: 6 – 9 PM
📍 Where: The Farm at Old Edwards
✨ Featuring: Open Bar, Heavy Hors D’oeuvres, Dessert, and plenty of Dancing!
🎟️ Tickets:
General Admission: $175
VIP Patron Package: $500 (Includes 5:30 PM early entry, meet-and-greet with the band, reserved seating, priority parking, and a professional S**g lesson before the party!)

🚌 Stress-Free Arrival: Enjoy our FREE Shuttle Service looping from 200 Main starting at 5:30 PM.

Every ticket purchased directly supports TL&LC’s mission to provide free educational programs for children and adults in our community. From the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to our new Citizenship Classes, your support changes lives!

🔗 Get your tickets today: theliteracyandlearningcenter.org/swingin

Sponsorship opportunities are still available—contact us to learn how your business can make an impact!
TICKETS ON SALE APRIL 30!

04/17/2026

Apply today for TL&LC’s FREE Pre-K 2026-27!

For 3- and 4-year-olds
• Must be toilet trained
• Parent/guardian and child must attend a play-based assessment at TL&LC
• Parent/guardian must agree to TL&LC policies
• Parent/guardian agrees to read to child at least 15 minutes per day
• Students must bring their snacks each day

APPLY at TheLiteracyandLearningCenter.org/pre-k

828-526-0863
TheLiteracyandLearningCenter.org
CMiddlebrooks@ TheLiteracyandLearningCenter.org

04/10/2026

We are thrilled to announce a new Financial Literacy Class!

As with all of our offerings, this class is FREE!

Monday, April 20
5:30 - 6:30 pm
First topic: The 5 Times in Life You Need Financial Advice

The class will be taught in English, with a Spanish translator available.

Free dinner provided. Children welcome.
RSVP is not required, but appreciated.

It is hoped this will be an ongoing class; future settings will be determined based on interest.

This class is taught in partnership with Regions Bank.

For questions, contact Bonnie Potts at [email protected] or 828-526-0863.

04/07/2026

A huge milestone for our youngest neighbors! 🥳 We are incredibly proud to announce that 3,010 Macon County children have now graduated from the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library through our local program! 🎓📖

From birth to age five, these graduates have received high-quality books delivered right to their mailboxes—building home libraries and a lifelong love of reading along the way. 📬✨

By reaching this milestone, we’re helping ensure our community’s children enter Kindergarten with the vocabulary and tools they need to thrive. 🍎💡 This achievement belongs to all of us—the parents who read every night, and the donors and volunteers who make this possible.

Know a child under five? Let’s get them started on their own journey! 🔗 Register or learn more: theliteracyandlearningcenter.org/imagination-library-faq 📧 Or contact Bonnie Potts at [email protected] or 828-526-0863.

Interested in supporting a child? It only takes $30 to sponsor a child for an entire year! You can help grow the love of reading for the youngest readers of Macon County! FOR BUSINESSES - Become one of Dolly’s Literacy Leaders! Join at the level that’s right for you and enjoy the sponsor benefits while you support a love of reading! Visit theliteracyandlearningcenter.org/get-involved or contact Jenni Edwards, [email protected].

03/31/2026

Introducing: Book of the Month! 📚✨

We are excited to kick off a brand-new series in our newsletter: Book of the Month! This initiative celebrates the reading journeys of our after-school students by letting them take the lead and share the stories that capture their imaginations.

Our very first feature comes from Iker, an enthusiastic 2nd grader who couldn’t wait to talk about his current favorite read.

April Feature: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
By Jeff Kinney

Iker chose the hilarious and relatable world of Greg Heffley for our debut spotlight. Here is what he had to share about his choice:
The Cast: The story follows the chaotic and funny adventures of brothers Greg, Rodrick, and Manny.
The Hero: While the whole family is involved, Greg remains the main character, navigating the ups and downs of growing up.
Defining “Wimpy”: When asked what it means to be “wimpy,” Iker explained it perfectly: “It means to be nervous or something.”
The Plot: In this specific installment, Greg is with his parents and brothers as they head out for some family bonding at a luxury water park and a camping trip.
The Big Takeaway: Iker loved seeing Greg’s transformation throughout the story. Even though Greg starts out feeling “wimpy,” he eventually finds his bravery after facing his nerves!

We love seeing our students connect so deeply with the characters they read about. Stay tuned next month to see which book our next student explorer chooses!

03/27/2026

🍬 Sweet Success in Pre-K! 🍬

Our students turned snack time into a colorful math lesson today! 🌈 They had a blast working with jellybeans to sharpen their early numeracy skills:
Color Sorting: Identifying and grouping treats by the colors of the rainbow. 🎨
Counting & Comparing: Discovering which colors had the most and which had the least. 🔢
Fair Sharing: Practicing division skills to ensure everyone had an equal amount to take home! 🤝

Hands-on activities like these make learning foundational math concepts both “tasty” and fun! 😋📚

Address

675 S 4th Street
Highlands, NC
28741

Website

http://www.theliteracyandlearningcenter.org/

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