Keeping Curiosity Alive: Bridging the Summer Learning Loss Gap

When children step off the school bus at the end of May, they’ve earned the next couple of months to relax. Summer is supposed to be a break, but it doesn't have to mean putting curiosity on pause until school starts again.

In regions with a long break from school, students can lose academic learning and skills, which is referred to as summer learning loss. In her article Learning Loss: A Summer Problem, Caitlin Munro highlights that while learning loss spans all subjects, “the highest areas of loss occur in math and literacy.” 

Supporting this, research by NWEA indicates that students can lose the equivalent of 10% to 30% of a school year’s math gains over the summer months. As a result, teachers may be required to reteach subjects that were already taught. 

As we wrap up our summer camp program and head into another school year, we're reflecting on a season filled with bright memories. From outdoor adventures to engaging projects indoors, it was truly a summer to remember.

Learning in the Wild

Outdoor Wellness Coordinator Lauren led our Club members on incredible field trips across the Ozarks all summer long, teaching them how to connect with nature through mindfulness and observation.

"We have a holistic approach for the outdoor wellness curriculum. There is something in it for every kid to be able to enjoy the outdoors."

From completing nature journals while exploring Dogwood Canyon to discovering local water ecosystems with the Watershed Committee, our youth proved field trips can be equal parts fun and educational. To finish the summer of field trips, our teens headed to Bois D’Arc to fish trout and catfish. 

Creativity and Entrepreneurship Indoors

Inside our Clubs, learning looks like pure play. Through our Summer Brain Gain program, youth tackle fun, weekly themed projects that build critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. At the end of the program, we hosted our Summer Brain Gain Expo, where Club members pitched their innovative products to a panel of judges and handled real sales with buyers.

Niki Kiruki, Senior Director of Programming, captured the essence of the event during an interview: “Being able to do programming like this for our kids gets them ready for the future. . . A lot of them want to have their own business, and this [Summer Brain Gain Entrepreneurship Expo] is a great start for them to learn all good things about running a business." 

Thanks to our staff, community partners, and supporters, we were able to provide local youth of Springfield with a summer of discovery and growth.