Greater Scranton YMCA Continues Tackling Summer Learning Loss Prevention

Kids from low-income families often start school unprepared. Despite progressing at the same rates during the school year, gaps widen each summer and students fall further behind their peers. The gap culminates in low high school graduation and college attainment rates, limited job prospects and negative economic impact. This gap is referred to as the Achievement Gap, or Summer Slide.

Now, perhaps more than ever before, providing children with learning opportunities over the summer months is crucial to their educational success. Through the Greater Scranton YMCA’s summer learning loss prevention programs, QUEST and Summer Scholars, the Y makes a profound impact in combating the achievement gap. These programs allow the Y to provide children with the tools and resources they need to succeed at the start of their next school year.

“For years, the Greater Scranton YMCA has worked to combat the achievement gap and provide all children in our community with the tools and resources needed to continue developing academically during the summer,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “In light of the pandemic, we understand summer learning programs are more important than ever before and we are so proud to continue providing our community with these invaluable resources.”

QUEST is a learning program integrated into our summer day camp. The program serves all campers in kindergarten through eighth grades and is offered at no additional cost. QUEST is held four days per week. Weeks one and two include pre-testing, weeks two through nine are program weeks and week ten includes post-testing. During each of the four days per week the program is held, children filter through different subjects, like math, literacy, geography and sign language.

Summer Scholars is a free research-based and research-proven six-week summer learning program with a goal to get elementary students on track to read at or above grade level by the start of their next school year. In some cases, participants will have the opportunity to exceed grade level expectations. In summer 2021, the program will serve rising first and second grade students attending the Mid Valley and Dunmore School Districts. Breakfast and lunch, as well as transportation at the Mid Valley School District, are provided. Since the program began in 2016, more than 125 students have been served.

Summer Scholars participants’ days consist of 2.5 hours of literacy in the morning followed by lunch and enrichment in the afternoon. Enrichment activities include field trips (dependent upon COVID-19 regulations), as well as trips to the Greater Scranton YMCA for use of the pools. The program is instructed by certified teachers, as well as Y staff. The program will be held from 8:00am – 3:00pm on Mondays through Thursdays beginning July 5th and running through August 12th.

To learn more about summer learning loss prevention at the Greater Scranton YMCA, contact Trish at [email protected] or (570) 828-3130.