Summer break doesn’t have to mean a break from learning — in fact, it can be one of the most powerful times for kids to grow in new ways. Without the structure of the school day, children have the freedom to explore interests, build skills, and stay mentally engaged through experiences that feel more like fun than work. Parents can utilize community resources, such as camps and classes that enhance learning and keep children engaged over break.
Explore a New Interest
Summer offers a low-pressure window for kids to try something new without the long-term commitment of a full school-year activity.
For example, Fairmont Center for the Arts offers summer classes and camps for “dabblers” as well as those who are looking to go “in-depth,” according to Executive Director Elizabeth Bolander.
“I love summer art classes and art camps, because they are usually shorter sessions,” she says. “If your student is exploring a new medium or is curious about something, but doesn’t want to commit to a whole school year or a semester of classes, summer is a great time to do it because it is only a couple of weeks. It’s a fun, relaxed environment and it’s welcoming for beginners.”
Bethany Beshire, senior manager of center operations at Cleveland Metroparks, says there are so many options for parents and caregivers to explore.
“You can look between single-day or multi-day experiences and offer varying half- and full-day options,” Beshire says, “There are activities like archery, golf, paddle sports, focused nature and music camps, zoo camps, and rugged camps that include lots of active exploring. We try to offer camps that are inclusive and appeal to kids of all interests and abilities.”
She adds that parents can check out each camp online to get an idea of activities that will be offered and gauge if they will be a good fit for your child.
Victoria Joslin, camp and curriculum manager at Great Lakes Science Center, says parents should look at all the options that are available and consider everything that is included.
“It’s great when you find something your camper is already interested in and you find a camp that aligns with that, but summer camp is also such a fantastic opportunity to find new interests,” she says. “If you end up not liking it, it’s only a week of your time. However, if you end up loving it, you might get a whole new point of interest.”
Participate in Summer Reading
When combating the “summer slide,” families across Northeast Ohio can incorporate library programs.
“Almost all libraries across the country do a summer reading program to prevent the summer slide, when kids lose the momentum that they have gained throughout the school year, especially when it comes to literacy,” says Bob Harrison, marketing and communications director at Elyria Public Library. “It’s so important to maintain that momentum, especially for younger kids. Reading at or above grade level is critical in their success at school and later in life.”
Joan Spoerl, director of the Imagination Library at The Literacy Cooperative, the program partner for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Cuyahoga County, says, “We know that the number of books in the home is more important than the parents’ education level or family income for predicting a child’s success in school, because with having those books around, children are more likely to go towards them when they are bored. We know that screens are not optimal at building young children’s brains.”
Kids should be actively engaged in reading during the summer, even if only for a few minutes each day, according to Lisa Sherlock, ancillary services coordinator at Wickliffe Public Library.
“Summer reading programs get kids excited about reading, which sometimes is hard for some kids,” Sherlock says. “Parents have said they see a difference in children when they return to school. They are eager to read new and different things.”
“When children spend their summer reading, a lot of things happen,” says Eileen Meehan, a retired longtime primary educator and a volunteer at the Imagination Library at The Literacy Cooperative. “One is they learn to see reading as not only educational, but a recreational source of pursuit, which is wonderful for lifelong learning.”
Meehan adds there are a lot of summer learning activities kids can do at home, too, such as reading, writing and implementing practical life skills, like making a shopping list or cooking a basic meal.
Additional Resources for Families:
The Connecting for Kids Inclusive Summer Directory lists camps and programs for children with disabilities, mental health needs, or those experiencing life changes at connectingforkids.org/summer. Programs run June through August. Parents can use the directory’s map/zip code search to find nearby options.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (education.ohio.gov) recommends contacting a child’s school or local school district to find out about area tutoring programs.
The Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center (ohiofamiliesengage.osu.edu) offers free tools and other family-friendly resources. Online, families can take advantage of the Digital Citizenship Curriculum, which offers interactive lessons and activities for all students.
The Boys and Girls Club (bgcneo.org) offers programming and academic support to enhance and accelerate classroom learning. Contact a local Boys and Girls Club location in Northeast Ohio to inquire about tutoring opportunities.
Summer Learning Action Steps for Families:
- Set up a daily time to focus on learning, from 30-60 minutes, with a variety of activities.
- Enroll in a local library’s summer reading program. Kids read diverse books, participate in a guided program and receive prizes.
- Tutoring is also a beneficial choice for some children. Parents can start by reaching out to a child’s teachers.
- Explore area summer camps that focus on nature exploration or STEAM-focused initiatives.
- Take advantage of free internet curriculum, apps and other resources that reinforce learning.
- Make learning a part of daily life by cooking, working on creative projects and finding new outdoor activities like hiking.
