Summer Brain Gain READ! Set to Launch

Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County announces the launch of Summer Brain Gain: READ!, a literacy program designed to improve the reading skills of our youth at a time when school is not in session.

Each summer, an estimated 43 million children in the U.S. miss out on expanded learning opportunities that could prevent them from falling behind before the next school year begins. During summer, low-income youth lose more than two months’ worth of reading skills, while their middle-class peers make slight gains.

“We are committed to ensuring that our youth, especially those who need us most, graduate from high school on time with a plan for the future,” said Executive Director Bob Langseth. “Through the Summer Brain Gain: READ! program, children are not only better prepared for the coming school year, but they also learn to value and appreciate reading, an essential skill for lifelong learning.”

Summer Brain Gain: Read! is a free summer program to improve the reading skills of youth with a new book presented each week per age group, along with supporting activities. In addition to reading sessions, members complete fun activities that bring books to life. Register early. Space is limited.

Downtown Clubhouse

In person registration for the Brain Gain: READ! program at the Downtown Clubhouse is underway and the program runs Mondays through Thursdays June 27-Aug. 11. Participants can only miss a total of five days of the entire seven-week program.

Program times are:

• 6 and 7 years old: 9:45-11:45 a.m.
• 8 and 9 years old: 12:30-2:30 p.m.
• 10 years and older: 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Live Oak Clubhouse

In person registration for the program at the Live Oak Clubhouse is also underway. There will be two sessions, June 13-July 15 for Grades K-2 and July 18-Aug. 19 for Grades 3-5 p.m. Each session meets 9-11 a.m. Monday through Thursday.

Each session will consist of reading programming, activities, projects and assessments. Sessions are offered in the morning to ensure all students are still able to attend field trips and fun activities offered during the afternoon hours of the Club’s summer program.