Scrabble challenge attracts over 100

Scrabble players place their tiles and count their points at a challenge this weekend in North Bay.
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Over 100 participated in the Scrabble at the Square Scrabble Challenge at the Northgate Square Shopping Centre Saturday and Sunday.

The challenge was organized by the North Bay Literacy Council as a way to get the word out about literacy, said Jane Jackson, the organization’s executive coordinator.

“People don’t necessarily get the connection between literacy and Scrabble, but it has everything to do with literacy because the game involves making words and building on them,” Jackson said.

“Scrabble is also great to teach reading skills to very tactile learners because they’re moving the letter tiles around to make words. And it’s a nice way for people to learn while they’re playing.”

Jackson said one in four people in North Bay are functionally illiterate with many coming from the 16 to 19 age group.

“Thirty per cent of them will end up dropping out of high school and not continuing on to post-secondary education,” Jackson said.

The literacy council is located at 347 Sherbrooke Street, Suite 301. The phone number is 494-9416.

Jackson said anyone interested in forming a Scrabble club in North Bay is invited to attend an information meeting Tue. May 4, 7 p.m., at the Correctional Services building, on First Street W., next to the Royal Canadian Legion.