Word Quest Summer Reading at Boys and Girls Clubs

OXNARD, Calif. - June 24, 2014 - PRLog -- The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme announce the summer schedule for the Hardy Word Quest program, a summer reading and spelling program that helps kids reach grade level in reading and spelling.

Every summer, students who miss out on reading opportunities lose valuable reading and spelling skills that cause them to be farther behind their peers when school resumes in fall. These learning gaps accumulate over the years causing these children to struggle more and more as they move through the grades. Many students lose as much as two months of reading skills in one summer.

According to the Department of Education, “More than a fifth of fourth-graders were unable to reach NAEP's basic reading level in 2000 and about two-thirds of fourth-graders in high-poverty schools were unable to reach the basic level.”

Hardy Word Quest teaches reading and spelling using dance, movement and targeted computer-based lessons over a 20 session program. Students dance, move, read and spell in a dynamic, active 45 minute learning session. The program helps students in grades 1 through 6 who are below grade level and need to catch up, as well as those who just want to get ahead in reading or are English language learners who want to improve in their reading and spelling skills over the summer.

Word Quest was tested in 2013-14 with 136 club members in grades 1 through 6. Club members gained an average of one year in reading growth in 20 sessions. That is the equivalent of two weeks of growth in reading for each 45 minute session.

In addition to significant growth in reading, Boys and Girls Club counselors also observed improvement in other areas that are critical for school success. Students improved their focus, attention, ability to work independently, self-confidence and reduced their frustration with reading.

Julian’s counselor said, “I have noticed a huge change in Julian. He is an English learner and I feel that affected his confidence and ability to follow my instructions. Now, his English seems improved by at least 50%, he is able to converse and understand easily, and his confidence has risen dramatically.”

Word Quest will be offered at three Oxnard clubhouses this summer.

• The Rio Del Norte and Rio Plaza clubs will offer the program from June 23 through July 25.

•Two sessions are available at the Martin V. Smith clubhouse:  June 23 through July 25 and July 27 through August 22.

To register, contact Rodrick Rosario at 805-538-0132, or rrosario@bgcop.org.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme exists to inspire and enable all young people to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens. With three full-service clubs, 13 school program sites and one housing site, the organization is one of the largest of its kind in California, serving more than 9,000 members annually. The group is also the first Boys & Girls Club of its kind to open a site inside a Juvenile Justice Center in the state of California. Program areas offered to youth include character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, the arts, technology and sports, fitness and recreation. Visit www.positiveplace4kids.org, for more information.