It’s no secret that kids count down the days to summer vacation. Filled with family trips, extra TV time, and more, this period away from the classroom can seem like heaven to young students. Unfortunately, a few months without any form of learning can contribute to what’s often called the “summer slide”, in which students lose the educational progress made in the previous year. Here, the summer camp professionals at Cherokee Academy at Clayton in Canton, GA, share more information about the summer slide, as well as how to prevent it.

The summer slide not only makes going back to school difficult, but it can also hamper a child’s long-term development. Setbacks during the summer are thought to contribute to achievement gaps between classes. A Johns Hopkins University study of Baltimore public schools, for instance, showed that students from homes defined as “low-income” lost two months’ worth of reading achievement over the summer. Their middle-class counterparts, on the other hand, made gains.

The good news is that the summer slide can be prevented. Keeping kids engaged in learning over summer doesn’t necessarily require extra schooling. A summer camp is a great way to ensure kids are productively occupied while out of school. From sports to cultural field trips, summer camp offers your little one many options for staying active. It also provides an opportunity to make new friends and develop valuable social skills. Busy parents who still have work during the summer can rest easy knowing their kids are supervised and engaged in activities to combat the summer slide.

Likewise, you can also try encouraging your child to read over the summer and set book goals and reward their progress. In addition to free books, public libraries often offer interactive programs like live readings. Trips to museums are another way to keep kids engaged in learning about the world around them.

If you’re looking for a way to keep your child active this summer, consider sending them to Cherokee Academy at Clayton. This small independent summer camp offers a welcoming community where kids are encouraged to stay active both mentally and physically. Visit their website to find out more about their offering, which includes an infant day care, preschool, and before- and after-school program. If you have any questions, call (770) 479-4404. You can also find the facility on Facebook.