Boys & Girls Clubs of Monmouth County (BGCM) has received one of seven early grade reading summer program grants from United Way of Monmouth County as part of its Community Impact Agenda. The $7,100 grant will help address the academic achievement gap in Monmouth County by providing Camp Buc and Camp Rock-It — engaging, educational, and fun summer programs, targeting students entering grades K-3 in Red Bank.
Camp Buc is run in partnership with the Red Bank School District’s summer school program, and Camp Rock-It is held at the BGCM Red Bank Unit. Both programs have integrated the new Boys & Girls Clubs of America “Brain Gain” curriculum to prevent summer learning loss. BGCM’s summer programming provides a full range of activities including book clubs, computer education, arts & crafts, physical education, science, cooking classes, and digital arts. Weekly field trips include museums, parks, and beaches.
Red Bank Camp Director Christy Crank stated, “I’m excited about introducing education on a fun and fantastic level for the summer and increasing our kids’ reading skills.”
Studies show that children who are not reading at grade level by the end of third grade are four times more likely to drop out of high school, and Monmouth County is at a particular disadvantage. In analyzing New Jersey Department of Education data, United Way of Monmouth County determined that 62.4% of fourth grade students in the lowest socioeconomic status school districts in Monmouth County are reading below grade level, compared to 20.5% of students in the highest socioeconomic districts.
In general, it is estimated that the “summer slide” – in which children lose knowledge over the summer months – accounts for as much as 85% of the reading achievement gap between lower-income students and their middle- and upper-income peers.
For more information about Camp Buc and Camp Rock-It, please contact Christy Crank at 732-530-0065 or visitbgcmonmouth.org. To learn more about the United Way or its Community Impact agenda, please visit uwmonmouth.org.
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