Most parents intuitively know that kids forget a lot of what they learned in school over the summer months. What parents haven’t known is how far-reaching the effects of this loss can be.

Thanks to US Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, and researchers at John Hopkins University, we now know that Summer Learning Loss accounts for 2/3 of the achievement gap nationally. What does this mean? If low-income children were given quality summer learning opportunities, they would be 2/3 more likely to pursue a college preparatory path in high school, to graduate, and to lead the way in our competitive global society. Without summer learning opportunities, these same children are more likely to drop out, to slip between the cracks, and to lose the curiosity that is innate to every child.

Nothing tells it better than this animated short from Horizons National.

Summer Learning Loss is not just an issue for disadvantaged families, however. Researchers note that children across the socio-economic spectrum lose an average of over two months’ learning from the previous school year. Cumulatively, over the K-12^th grades, this counts for three academic years lost!

Enriching summer learning opportunities are a must for all children. The Public Agenda survey in 2009 discovered that “87% of parents who did send their children to summer programs that included academic and enrichment activities agreed that the programs helped prepare their children for the school year.” However, a mere 9% of 48 million public school students attend summer school programs. This is where Edventure More enters the picture.

We align our curriculum with California State Standards and the Framework for 21st Century Learning to ensure each child’s personal and academic enrichment. Last year, 9 out of 10 kids taught their families something they learned in our summer camps, while 98% felt a sense of pride from their projects! A notable 86% of parents believe the hands-on learning experience at camp would benefit their child during the school year. Summer provides a unique opportunity to cultivate the curiosity, confidence and kindness kids need to become life long learners.

Summer programs like Edventure More are critical for the well-being of our 21st Century youth. As Duncan expressed in a recent speech: “I don’t worry about the students that are going to summer camps.  I worry about the millions of students who don’t have the resources to go to summer camps.”

Join the national movement to eliminate Summer Learning Loss by contributing to Edventure More’s Give Camp to Kids Program, writing your representative on the Board of Supervisors about supporting summer learning, and ensuring your own children are engaged in enrichment this summer.

You Can Make a Difference.