Summer 2018 marked the inaugural year for the Summer Literacy Corps, through which SummerCollab engaged 39 AmeriCorps Members to deliver targeted reading instruction to K-5 campers at our partner sites. As a result of this intervention, 87% of campers reversed summer learning loss, while making average literacy gains of over three months. A corresponding, and deeply significant, outcome was the impact that our Corps Members had on their campers, increasing their love of reading and their belief in themselves and their abilities. Their attitudes transformed from “I don’t want to read” to “Can you take me to read?” The camps were on fire with love of reading and learning, and campers returned to school equipped to engage and excel.
Our Summer Literacy Corps Members complete 60 hours of training covering:
- literacy instruction
- positive behavior management
- social-emotional learning
- trauma-informed care
- content delivery
Our Summer Literacy Corps Members are supported by Literacy Coaches who provide curriculum support and instructional coaching throughout their service.
Summer Literacy Corps continued to support students and camps throughout COVID-19 with our remote programming. We brought “camp” to the screen with weekly themes such as Outer Space, Music, Food, and Sports. Through the use of engaging, in-hand picture books and a virtual curriculum, students continued to strengthen their skills in:
- Phonemic Awareness
- Phonics
- Fluency
- Comprehension
