Did you know that the average U.S. student loses at least two months of learning every summer? The average Summer Brain Gain participant, as measured by BGCA, does not experience this learning loss. Our Summer Brain Gain program is a tried-and-tested program created by Boys & Girls Clubs of America to address summer learning loss, particularly when it comes to math and literacy. With modules targeted for each level of learner, themes that relate different books and activities, and a dedicated team of educators behind it, this program has been proven to decrease or even eliminate summer learning loss in reading and math.
For our elementary-aged students, a primary focus of the program is on promoting literacy and a love of books, with participants beginning each day by reading a book that related to the theme of the module and continuing the day with related activities, such as egg and gravity related science experiments after reading about Humpty-Dumpty. This summer our Brain Gain team focused on incorporating the weekly camp themes into this program, helping members to engage enthusiastically with the material and create connections between the books and their lives. In a similar vein, each week involved at least one “take-home” art piece or project for members to bring home with them at the end of the day.
“Summer Brain Gain” projects from summer 2024 included painting “Starry Night” replicas to accompany the book Madeline’s Rescue as part of the “Passport to Fun” theme week, designing five-ring logos and Olympic torches as part of the “Olympics” theme week, creating apple boats and water displacement experiments as part of the “Shipwrecked” theme week, and many more! With help from the “Counselors in Training” who participated in our work-based learners program, small groups and one-on-one attention for our members made this summer into one that was not only packed with fun, but with literacy and learning. Check out the picture gallery below!
