For 18 years, Claude Moore Charitable Foundation (CMCF) grants have helped Shenandoah University support reading success for students across the top of Virginia. 

Between April 28 and Aug. 2, the CMCF will provide over 5,000 books to students through its partnership with Shenandoah, said Director of the Children’s Literature Program & Professor of Curriculum and Instruction Karen Huff, Ed.D.

The CMCF has awarded grants to Shenandoah since 2008. In 2026, it awarded $2.3 million to regional organizations, including $92,000 to the university. “Its support does more than help fund the Master of Science in Literacy Education/Professional Studies Certificate in Reading programs,” said Dr. Huff. “It transforms the lives of teachers by making it possible to earn an advanced degree, and of children by making it possible for them to receive expert tutoring during the summer months, as well as providing them access to quality children’s books for their home library.” 

Scholarships & Camp Read A Lot

With grant funds, Shenandoah’s Claude Moore Center for Literacy also backs Camp Read A Lot, which serves two purposes. It is a high-energy, “camp-style” literacy program at Title I schools that provides intensive, targeted reading support to students struggling in reading. In addition, it’s a clinical course for licensed teachers enrolled in Shenandoah’s literacy programs. After the campers leave each day, the teachers, many of whom receive scholarships through CMCF grants, attend class, Huff said. 

The grant provides the extras that transform a regular summer school program into a lively and exciting camp. We replace the traditional summer school classroom feel with decorated campsites, a signature camp song, camp snacks and most importantly a camp bookstore from which students can choose 14 high-quality, award-winning books to add to or create their home libraries.

While regular summer school programs have historically low attendance rates, attendance at Camp Read A lot has proven to be exceptional, with over 90% of children participating each day. The popularity of Camp Read A Lot has created interest in our program among many school systems in the area and this year there are currently over 100 teachers enrolled in the M.S./PSC program at Shenandoah.

Director of the Children’s Literature Program & Professor of Curriculum and Instruction Karen Huff, Ed.D.

Rally for Reading

The grant helps Shenandoah bring authors and illustrators to its annual Children’s Literature Conference (CLC), which is celebrating its 40th year. The CLC runs from late April through late June, featuring both virtual and in-person offerings. And, it starts with quite an event on Shenandoah’s main campus.

“For the past three years, we have opened the conference with a Rally for Reading for area schoolchildren. Last year, over 1,000 schoolchildren participated in the rally, Books and Blooms, the week before the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival. They met the authors, and, thanks to the authors and the Claude Moore Foundation, each child in attendance received two books. On April 28 and April 29, this year, fourth- and fifth-grade students will have the opportunity to meet author John Schu, and Newbery Medal winners Katherine Applegate and Kate DiCamillo,” Huff said. Of course, children will receive free copies of the authors’ books. 

This year, a similar event will occur in Loudoun County, Virginia, on May 29 and May 30. Two authors will visit three schools in Sterling. They’ll also attend a Rally for Summer Reading for children and families. The guest authors are Pura Belpré medalist Rafael López and Caldecott honoree Oge Mora. Every child will receive an autographed book from each, Huff said.   

CLC Community, Online & In-Person

Additionally, the CMCF funding provides assistance for CLC-connected events like Rockin’ the Library at the Handley Library and Rockin’ the Rooftop at the Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum in Winchester, Virginia. Children and families can meet authors and illustrators at each event. 

The CLC’s virtual author/illustrator visits are in April, May and early June, allowing teachers to bring authors to their classrooms live. Caldecott winners David Shannon and Minh Le, and Catia Chien will appear virtually, as will New York Times Bestselling author and storyteller Adam Gidwitz. 

The late June in-person conference has a stellar line-up of award-winning authors and illustrators, Huff said. Guests include Peter Brown, Dan Santat, Loren Long, Ben Clanton, Joanna Ho, Gordon C. James, Eliza Kinkz, David Catrow, Sam Wedelich, Deborah Heiligman, and Jarrett Krosoczka. 

About the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation

The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation was established in 1987 by Dr. Claude Moore. Moore was a successful physician and Northern Virginia landowner who left most of his fortune in trust for the purpose of enhancing educational opportunities throughout the commonwealth and beyond.