Roberts Academy at Mercer University will host its second Literacy Quest Summer camp June 15-19 and June 22-26. This 10-day, half-day, academic enrichment camp is designed for struggling readers in grades 2-6.
In this blog post, we will cover:
Summer camps, especially camps with a focus on reading and academics, help prevent the summer slide – a very common challenge that occurs when students take long breaks from school. According to Education Week, “the average student loses one to three months of learning over summer.”
Students with learning differences, including those with dyslexia, are especially vulnerable to the summer slide.
Most parents want to give their kids a full summer break, but research shows that many children, especially those who find reading difficult, lose literacy skills over the summer.
Because written words are not yet secure for dyslexic readers, skills can fade quickly, making consistent practice important – even during breaks. Dr. Sally E. Shaywitz is a physician-scientist and leading expert on dyslexia. She is the author of “Overcoming Dyslexia” and is the co-founder and co-director of the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity, where she has led research into the nature, neurobiology, and long-term outcomes of dyslexia.
According to Shaywitz, summer can cause literacy setbacks, especially for dyslexic students:
“If a [dyslexic] child has been practicing a given set of words and word families during the school year, representatives of the word are beginning to find a permanent home within the word form area,” she said. “However, if this process is interrupted before the word is permanently represented in the child’s brain, it often means having to learn the word all over again.”
Related: Dyslexia Resources for Parents, Educators, and Advocates
Literacy Quest is a 10-day, half-day, academic enrichment camp that uses the proven Orton-Gillingham Approach to strengthen literacy skills in a fun and supportive environment.
Our expert educators lead engaging, research-based instruction to boost reading and math skills.
Campers also have the option to attend the Mount De Sales Academy S.P.L.A.S.H. Camp in the afternoons. You can learn more about Literacy Quest and S.P.L.A.S.H. Camp here.
While a dyslexia diagnosis is not required for admission to camp, students must demonstrate a struggle in learning to read.
And since every student at Literacy Quest faces reading challenges, each camper feels included and seen.
“My son needed to be around other dyslexic kids and see firsthand that he’s not the only kiddo with reading struggles,” said one Literacy Quest parent.
The deadline to register for Literacy Quest Summer Camp is April 17.
Families must provide the following during the registration process:
1. Documentation that demonstrates a difficulty in reading, phonics, spelling, or writing.
2. An unassisted writing sample in the student’s handwriting (a prompt will be provided)
3. A permission slip to interact with the Roberts Academy therapy dogs.
4. A copy of the student’s most recent report card.
Please note that a confidential teacher evaluation will be sent to each registrant’s teacher after the registration form is completed.
Roberts Academy serves students in grades 2–6 and is Georgia’s only school for dyslexic students outside of Metro Atlanta.
The Academy uses the Orton-Gillingham Approach, an evidence-based method of reading instruction designed specifically for students with dyslexia.
Roberts Academy is also the most affordable school of its kind in the state.
Discover Roberts Academy at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia!