Mayor John Tecklenburg, alongside representatives from the city of Charleston Recreation Department, Mayor’s Office for Children, Youth, and Families, and Reading Partners, today announced this year’s Arthur W. Christopher Community Center Kids Camp, which will feature a specialized Reading Partners curriculum, and made a call for summer literacy volunteers.
Across South Carolina, students who are not reading on grade level by 4th grade have an 88 percent chance of never catching up and are four times more likely to drop out of high school. By integrating individualized literacy support and mentorship into summer camp programs, Reading Partners aims to curb summer learning loss and prevent reading drop off.
Based on testing administered before and after last year’s summer program, 82 percent of the 70 participating campers either increased or maintained their reading skills.
Mayor Tecklenburg said, “Setting our children up for success is a true community effort, and with the help of literacy volunteers this summer, we will have the chance to build upon last year’s success and offer even more campers the opportunity to improve their reading ability.”
Kecia Greenho, Executive Director of Reading Partners South Carolina, said, “The development of strong reading skills is foundational to all learning, and our partnership with the city of Charleston helps us ensure that our children are both having fun and thriving academically.”
Tutoring will take place Monday through Thursday beginning June 4th and lasting through August 10th. More than 300 program volunteers are needed on a flexible basis with a minimum one-hour commitment per week. Those interested in volunteering can find more information and sign up at www.readingpartners.org/volunteer.