Summer Reading at Camp at the Boys and Girls Clubs of MetroWest

In late June, the doors opened for Summer Camp at the Boys and Girls Clubs of MetroWest.  For eight weeks, the kids of MetroWest will be exposed to new activities, introduced to new friends, AND tackle their suggested summer readings.

This is the third summer BGCMW has incorporated a Club-wide Summer Learning Loss Prevention Program into the Camp experience.  Every camper has a suggested summer reading list from their school, but many of them wait until the end of the summer to begin their reading, which means two months of possibly not being engaged in reading/learning.  The Summer Learning Loss Prevention Program engages youth in reading and high-yield project-based learning activities.  Through this 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.  

Our program incorporates the public schools suggested summer reading lists and provides an incentive program for the campers to complete the suggested weekly reading within each age group. The counselors utilize themed activities that take a project-based learning approach.  BGCMW tracks the number of minutes read by each camper in each group.  They include the 20 minutes set aside each day during camp for reading, the minutes read at home that are tracked by parents, and the minutes read by older campers to younger campers during camp time.  

Each Friday is recognition day for all the groups and there is no shortage of excitement during the camp meeting!  “We are committed to ensuring that MetroWest youth, that attend our camps in Hudson, Marlborough and Framingham, are prepared to enter school in the fall. That’s why we offer a strong summer reading program in each of our Clubs to address the issue of summer learning loss.”  said Fran Hurley, President.  “Our kids are having fun, and most importantly, they are having fun learning.”

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest

The Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest serves over 3,500 children and youth each year with a low membership fee of only $25 per child, which makes it one of the largest and most affordable Boys & Girls Club organizations in Massachusetts.  2014 marks our 70th year of providing quality out-of-school programming for the children and youth of greater Marlborough, Hudson and Framingham. Great Futures Start Here at the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest. Visit us online at bgcmetrowest.org.

Submitted by the Boys and Girls Clubs of MetroWest.