Your kids can lose valuable learning progress over the summer months. Keep them on track and ready for the next grade level by keeping them engaged in educational activities and regular reading.

Studies have shown that when summer vacation breaks the routine of instruction, students tend to forget what they learned and require a significant time for review when they return to school in the fall. This “summer slide” can be prevented just by reading. Students who read as few as four to five books over the course of the summer benefit by keeping their minds sharp and engaged.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Wyoming is working to combat summer learning loss by launching a reading program. Sponsored in part by Casper area McDonald’s restaurants, the program will have Club members reading 20 minutes each day, earning prizes as they reach milestones built within the program.

More than 1,200 Club members will be exposed to the reading program. By the end of summer, engaged participants will have read a total of eight hours at the Club. Each child will receive a folder to track time spent reading, books read and a summary to track comprehension. In addition, Club youth will be partnered with kindergarten and 1st graders to develop reading skills and confidence among our younger members.

“Our goal is to encourage life-long learning and a love of literature through the Summer Reading Program, all while helping students retain and improve upon what they’ve learned over the school year,” said Jessica Baxter, Director of Operations, BGCCW.

The Club also offers field trips and other educational activities during Summer Camp for academic enrichment while kids are out of school.

Encourage your children to read this summer. Get them involved in a summer reading program, create your own summer reading incentives, and visit the library on a regular basis.

Some helpful resources for summer reading:

We Read

www.wereadnatrona.com

Natrona County Public Library

http://www.natronacountylibrary.org/