KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City launched a summer enrichment program this week. The nonprofit hopes to prevent summer learning loss — commonly called “summer slide” — for roughly 2,000 children across the metro.
“They go back to school in the fall in a better place than they left in the spring,” said Jason Roth, president and CEO of BGCGKC.
Roth said statistics from the previous 10 years of the organization’s summer enrichment programs showed 85% of students increased proficiency in reading, science, and math during the program.
This year, enrollment for the program called “Atomic Blast” is at capacity and the clubs have opened a waitlist.
Thanks to a federal summer meal program, the organization will offer free lunch to anyone under the age of 18 — whether they're enrolled in Atomic Blast or not — all summer at all local sites.
KSHB 41 News compiled the following tips for parents looking to prevent summer slide at home:
- Encourage reading: allow your child to pick out their own books and read what interests them.
- Make time for smart play: games that involve problem-solving, critical thinking and puzzles.
- Change scenery: take your child on a field trip to the library, a museum, a historical site or into nature.
