From making instruments to math kickball, kids had a blast highlighting the importance of summer learning opportunities at the Tampa YMCA last Thursday. On July 12, hundreds of organizations across the country hosted National Summer Learning Day events to showcase the significance of keeping all kids learning, safe and healthy during the summer.
The Y’s generous partner, United Way Suncoast, helped lead celebrations at four of our Ys. Sulphur Springs Y campers had fun with two 2 STEM projects, including Walking Water to show how colors mix to form a new color and making homemade ice cream. Campers over at the North Brandon Y played a nice game of math kickball, while Plant City campers read about paper airplanes before making their own. Central City Y campers also read together before making their own instruments and learning about the culture of Louisiana.
Thanks to the generosity of United Way Suncoast, campers at these four Ys also receive free tutoring from a licensed teacher and participate in Summer Bridge Book learning to help prevent summer learning loss. “Summer Learning Day is an annual reminder that summers matter and if we want our kids to do well in the school year ahead, our communities need to ensure students get the supports and services they need to continue growing and thriving over the summer,” says Tampa Y Vice President of Youth Development Candace Culver.
Research shows summers without quality learning opportunities put youth at risk for falling behind – year after year – in core subjects like math and reading. The math and reading skills that low-income students lose each summer are cumulative and contribute significantly to the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income kids.
A National Summer Learning Association survey indicates two-thirds of teachers spend at least a month re-teaching students old material when they return from summer vacation. “Studies show leaving kids unattended during the summer - without any programmed activities - is detrimental to their education and health,” says NSLA founder & CEO Matthew Boulay, Ph.D. “These effects are particularly pronounced among poorer kids, whose parents work long hours and simply don’t have the money to enroll them in summer programs.”
To learn more about the Y’s commitment to close the achievement gap,
click here.
Pictured above: Y staff and United Way Suncoast volunteers taught Central City Y campers about the music and culture of Louisiana to celebrate National Summer Learning Day.
