"Summer Slide" is the phenomenon where children lose knowledge and skills over the long summer break, potentially losing up to two months of progress in subjects like Math and Reading. When they return to school, it can take two to three months to catch up on missed material, often delaying their readiness for current grade-level content. As a result, teachers have less time to teach new material since they've already spent months on remediation.
Operation Xcel provides free after-school tutoring and learning for elementary and middle school children at various locations in Guilford County. But what if kids could maintain their skills and avoid falling behind due to summer learning loss? Operation Xcel has the answer with its 3 Steps Ahead summer program. This program is designed not just for fun and games; it helps children retain their academic success from the previous school year and prepares them for the upcoming grade. 3 Steps Ahead aims to combat the 'Summer Slide' while still incorporating enjoyable activities.
The summer camp features three hours of academically focused programming, including enrichment classes, poetry, and robotics, four times a week. Additionally, children enjoy swimming and weekly field trips at no cost to their families. What sets Operation Xcel's Summer Camp apart is its unique emphasis on academic learning and growth. The programs also focus on social and emotional learning, helping kids at the 3-Steps Ahead summer camp develop resilience and effective communication skills.
Research shows that ID Tech Camps cost from $1,099 - $1449 per week per child, while other coding or STEM camps in Greensboro range from $700 to $1,000. In contrast, Operation Xcel Summer Camp is completely free, offering essential learning continuity to help prevent the "summer slide."
National and local news have spotlighted food insecurity in Guilford County. To combat this, Guilford County Schools provides free lunch pickups during the summer. However, many families struggle with transportation to access these meals. Operation Xcel aims to reduce the stigma around receiving free meals and supports families who may feel embarrassed about their circumstances. At Operation Xcel, every student gets free breakfast, lunch, and snacks during summer camp.
The expenses for certified teachers at the Operation Xcel After School and Summer Camp programs, along with other camp costs, are mainly covered by grants, donations, and sponsorships. Teachers at Operation Xcel are encouraged to use creative, hands-on methods to enhance student learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM).
The solution to Summer Slide is Operation Xcel’s Summer Camp. Some locations still have available slots.
Visit our website to register your child(ren) using this link: https://operationxcel.org/what-we-do/summer-program.html
