Summer Learning Grants are open to schools and organizations serving Berks County students. The grant provides up to $5,000 in support of summer learning programming and is offered as part of the Ready.Set.READ! initiative.
2025 Summer Learning Grants
2025 Summer Learning Grants totaling $51,300 were awarded to 12 local organizations and schools. The grants will impact 1,975 children:
- 10th & Penn Elementary School: The 10th & Penn Summer Learning Experience will will be delivered in ways that develop the whole child and aim to foster love of learning. Program includes literacy and math instruction with an emphasis on literacy through the Science of Reading and integrating STEM concepts and connections.
- 12th & Marion Elementary School: Every student will be provided The Guinness Book of World records and Scholastic 2024 World Records. Students and teachers will read through the records, analyzing each one. Specific records will be focused on with activities and field trips to match.
- 13th & Union Elementary School: During Scholastic Lit Camp, books will be sent home with students to continue expanding their home library. Thirteenth and Union will enhance mini-clubs, which incorporate literacy skills and reading into cooking and crafting, by bringing in additional presenters and activities.
- 16th & Haak Elementary School: Reading is Rocking will introduce genre study through readers theater to improve students’ fluency, accuracy and comprehension. Secret Stories brain-based strategies will be implemented (short phonics stories where letters have fun personalities and make their sounds predictable and easy to remember). Games will be used for collaboration and social skills, students will then teach their parents and admin how to play.
- Bethel-Tulpehocken Library: Ten weekly themed activities are planned as well as a storytime. For each 25 pages a child reads, they will receive a ticket which can be redeemed for books, entered into raffles, or saved for their end-of-summer carnival.
- Boyertown Community Library: Boyertown Library’s 2025 theme is “Color Our World”. The program will run for an 8-week period over the summer and include story time, guest speakers and performers, as well as craft activities and challenge-based activities.
- Brandywine Heights Area School District: Camp SPARK will focus on enhancing fluency and comprehension skills using research-based intervention programs. This year’s camp theme will focus on STEM pathways with literacy components woven in to enhance the cross-curricular connections.
- Fleetwood Area School District: Roaring into Kindergarten program is a week-long summer program in August designed to help incoming kindergarteners transition smoothy into school. Through engaging in hands-on activities, students will learn school expectations, practice early learning skills like letter and number recognition, develop social-emotional skills, and explore their new school environment.
- John Paul II Center: JPII’s Extended School Year program is delivered in-person for five weeks during summer break. Students work on their academics, including reading, to avoid the regression that occurs if students do not continue reading between June and the start of school in the fall. Through the use of fun and engaging activities, staff keep students motivated and interested in learning.
- Opportunity House: The Sunshine and Stories program provides children ages 3-5 with a summer literacy experience that integrates physical movement into learning. Over 10 weeks, children engage in interactive storytelling, phonological awareness activities, and gross motor skill development in an outdoor classroom. Weekly take-home literacy kits and a culminating Alphabet Parade foster learning beyond the classroom, promoting early literacy, coordination, and family engagement.
- Schuylkill Valley Community Library: The Schuylkill Valley Community Library will provide library patrons with experiential learning program opportunities in the subject areas of science, conventional art materials, music, dance, and self care and mindfulness as part of the Collaborative Summer Library Program theme- Color Your World. Each program will be an approximately 1 hour long presentation, featuring a science, art, music, multicultural dance, or yoga themed workshop designed specifically to engage children in the pre- k to kindergarten age group (ages 3-6 years old).
- Wernersville Public Library Association: Wernersville Library will hold a Spanish-Bilingual Storytime for children six and under once a week for a five-week period during the Summer Quest 2025 program.
2024 Summer Learning Grants
2024 Summer Learning Grants totaling $51,364 were awarded to 13 local organizations and schools. The grants will impact 1,162 children:
- 10th & Penn Elementary School: The 10th & Penn Summer Learning Experience will continue the students’ education throughout the summer in an effort to minimize summer slide, maintain gains, and close gaps while also giving the students enriching experiences to expand students’ interests and be formative to potential career pathways.
- 12th & Marion Elementary School: 12th & Marion Elementary School- Summer School keep students engaged in literacy and math over the summer while providing them with unique field trips and experiences.
- 16th & Haak Elementary School: Read Knights Are Rocking Reading & Writing 2024 Promote literacy strategies for students and families within the 16th & Haak School community.
- 13th & Union Elementary School: Summer School will continue to support and advance students’ reading skills.
- Amanda E Stout Elementary School: Summer Fun 2024 will continue summer learning by providing hands on activities supplemented with books related to the weekly topic.
- Boyertown Community Library: Boyertown Community Library Summer Reading Program, called “All Together Now,” will encourage children and teens, from birth to 18, to continue reading over the summer months.
- Brandywine Heights Elementary School: Camp SPARK provides targeted learning opportunities that will remediate and enrich skills focused on literacy with the use of a research-based
intervention program. - Brecknock Elementary School: Curious Kids in the Community will engage students in extended summer learning to enhance literacy and numeracy skills through fun and practical hands on learning activities with their peers.
- Daniel Boone Area Primary Center: BEAR- Be Excited About Reading! will increase student reading on independent reading level outside of summer school hours.
- Lauer’s Park Elementary School: the High Frequency Words program will build meaningful relationships, expose students to high quality instruction, and provide structured play, rooted in social-emotional learning, to provide a seamless transition into kindergarten.
- Mt. Penn Primary Center: The Mini Mounts Adventure Camp aims to develop our student’s literacy, math, and social-emotional skills through enriching curriculum and materials aligned with the science of reading, play-based learning, and weekly parent engagement sessions.
- Opportunity House: The Language & Literacy for Spanish Speaking Learners is an 11 week program for preschool and pre-k children that provides specialized instruction and resources for the home for children whose primary language spoken in the home is Spanish.
- Schuylkill Valley Community Library: Summer Quest 2024 – Explore Our World will inspire families and children to explore our world through literature, programs and experiences.
2023 Summer Learning Grants
2023 Summer Learning Grants totaling $52,850 were awarded to 12 local organizations and schools:
- 10th & Penn Elementary School: The 10th & Penn Summer Learning Experience will keep students learning throughout the summer in order to maintain gains and close gaps in their education while also providing them with life enriching experiences in a safe, caring environment.
- 12th & Marion Elementary School: 12th & Marion Elementary School- Summer School will provide students with a fun and innovative academic environment enriched with literacy and out-of-the box, creative thinking.
- 16th & Haak Elementary School: Reading is Rocking will promote literacy strategies for students and families within the 16th & Haak School community.
- Berks Area Youth Recreation, Inc: Bookworm Blast will give the youngest and emerging readers, a boost over the summer; that will prepare Pre-K readers as they enter a Kindergarten program, and will give Kindergarten students that may need remediation with reading skills, the support to enhance and enrich those skills, lessening the effect of a summer slide.
- Boyertown Community Library: Boyertown Community Library 2023 Summer Reading Program, called “All Together Now,” will encourage children and teens, from birth to 18, to continue reading over the summer months.
- Brandywine Heights Elementary School: Camp SPARK will provide targeted learning opportunities that will remediate and enrich skills focused on literacy with the use of a research-based intervention program.
- Governor Mifflin School District: Governor Miflfin Summer Zone will engage students in extended summer learning to enhance literacy and numeracy skills through fun and practical hands on learning activities with their peers.
- Lauer’s Park Elementary School: For the Love of Reading will increase student reading on an independent reading level outside of summer school hours.
- Mt. Penn Primary Center: Mini Mounts Kindergarten Adventure will build meaningful relationships, expose our students to high quality instruction, and provide structured play, rooted in social emotional learning, to provide a seamless transition into kindergarten.
- Opportunity House: Language & Literacy for Spanish Speaking Learners is an 11 week program for preschool and pre-k children that provides specialized instruction and resources for the home for children whose primary language spoken in the home is Spanish.
- Reading Public Library: Northeast Summer STEAM will provide a kid-friendly course on electronics and robotics to 12 local 2nd/3rd graders with the final goal of constructing and programming their own controllable robot arm.
- Spring Township Library Association: Summer Quest 2023 – Explore Our World will inspire families and children to explore our world through literature, programs and experiences.
2022 Summer Learning Grants
2022 Summer Learning Grants totaling $50,000 were awarded to 10 local organizations and schools:
- 10th & Penn Elementary School: The 10th & Penn Summer Learning Experience will expand Yocum’s Neighborhood Bridges programming to 2nd and 1st grades. Science Explorers and Barrio Alegria will also provide enrichment and fun learning activities.
- 16th & Haak Elementary School: The Reading Is Rocking program provides bilingual, grade-level-appropriate literacy kits designed to engage the entire family in activities such as letter and word formation, researching, and writing. Families will receive training and ongoing support to enhance the home-school partnership.
- Berks Area Youth Recreation: The Summer Adventure Reading Rangers will pair middle school students with elementary reading students for daily reading, learning and fun. The small group literacy activities will include reports, skits and weekly library trips.
- Boyertown Community Library: The Boyertown Community Library Summer Reading Program will feature the theme “Oceans of Possibilities.” Children and youth will be inspired to continue learning over the summer through guest speakers and activities to bring reading to life.
- Brandywine Heights Elementary School: Camp SPARK will focus on enhancing fluency and comprehension skills for K-3 students. Activities will include station activities that bring stories “to life,” including reading and writing, technology based, and STEM activities.
- Olivet Boys & Girls Club: the Olivet 2022 Summer Reading Program will use the fundamental building blocks of KidzLit, a reading enrichment program designed to enhance motivation to read and reading comprehension. Activities include reading time, discussions, and fun projected related to the reading material.
- Reading Public Library: RPL brings STEAM programs to playgrounds, Recreation Centers, and youth meeting spaces in Reading. Programming includes messy play learning projects and technology “toys” to help introduce Coding skills. Books focusing on STEAM and critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity will be given to children to keep and will help rebuild literacy and spark curiosity at home.
- Village Library: Using the library coalition’s Oceans of Possibilities summer reading theme, the Village Library will provide activities (including guest speakers) and programming focused on learning about sea life, the library, and how reading can open the world’s endless possibilities.
- Willow Creek Elementary School/Fleetwood School District: The Fleetwood Tigers Summer Academy will address the learning gaps for struggling learners and reduce the summer slide with their reading and math skills. The engaging themed programming includes small group activities focusing on phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
- YMCA of Reading and Berks County: The summer program is a Project-Based Learning Experience with an end of summer presentation. The small groups will choose a project and will work on it for 2-hours every week during summer camp. The activities, with staff supervision and guidance, include researching, writing, and artistic creativity to create an informative and engaging deliverable.
2021 Summer Learning Grants
2021 Summer Learning Grants totaling $50,000 were awarded to 10 local organizations:
- 10th & Penn Elementary School: Feel Good Gardening program is focusing on literacy through the theme of creating a garden and includes Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and gardening math. Each week will feature a different focus and will start with planning of a garden, to growing crops, and culminate with a student-written cookbook of our 10th and Penn family favorites.
- Berks Area Youth Recreation Inc.: the Summer Reading Ranger program will introduce students to the library. The program will include an introduction to the library with frequent visits, assistance selecting best-fit books, and being a part of the library’s virtual reading program. At BAYR base camp activities will include literacy learning and fun.
- Daniel Boone Area Primary Center: the Summer Academic Connections Academy provides an opportunity for students to work on literacy skills in a fun and exciting way. During this program, the children will play literacy games, read, write, and talk about literacy. The creativity and collaborations abound as the teacher’s create exciting and engaging activities.
- Millmont Elementary School: Ready, Set, Seed is a STEAM program to learn about gardening, seeds, and plants. Throughout the entire program the team will be rebuilding the school’s garden. The literacy learning will include nonfiction book reading, activities, and vocab focus to support the project.
- Mt. Penn Primary Center: Swim into Kindergarten will work with incoming Kindergartners for school readiness. Focus includes name recognition, letter identification, read alouds to build vocab, and fine motor coordination skills. The last day includes an hour parental engagement and informational session.
- Olivet Boys & Girls Club: the Summer Reading Program will utilize a reading enrichment program to create the foundation for fun group readings, discussions, and activities to bring the story to life and enhance comprehension.
- Reading Public Library: summerSTEAM@RPL is a partnership program with the Reading Recreation Commission for hands-on and messy learning programming – from making slime to planting seeds, children will explore STEAM in a tactile way. Vocabulary, comprehension, listening, and writing skills will be the focus throughout each session as the students follow directions, discuss processes and results and write the “lab sheet. “STEAM Go Packs” will also be distributed to children not able to attend in-person programming.
- Schuylkill Valley Elementary School: Summer School will focus on small group instruction for reading, writing, and math. The “Around the World” summer learning theme will use fiction and non-fiction books to develop phonics, vocabulary, language comprehension, and practicing writing skills.
- Teachers in the Parks: summer program meets kids where they are – parks, pools, and rec center. The tactile outside learning is a nice change from the classroom setting where students work with a teacher in small groups for reading and math enrichment. The grade-level literacy activities include read-alouds, independent reading, writing, and foundation skills as needed. Teachers use their creativity to actively engage students in their surroundings with various projects, games, and activities.
- Willow Creek Elementary School: the Fleetwood Tigers Summer Learning program is focused on students who have been identified with reading deficits. The whole group, small group, and 1:1 instruction, aligning with the school’s Reading program, will creatively use engaging themes to increase literacy skills. In addition to the math and literacy activities, the students will receive a healthy snack and have recess time. Transportation is included to increase participation.
2020 Summer Learning Grants
Totaling $45,063 were awarded to 11 local organizations. Each grant supports summer learning programming featuring a literacy component and serving Berks County Title 1 students, PreK and up to and including 3rd grade:
- Berks Area Youth Recreation Incorporated: Summer camp participants will enjoy outdoor activities with the goals of fun, friends and environmental learning, all aligned with a fun method of reading and comprehension to keep and enhance the child’s reading skills to prepare for this year’s academic challenges.
- Brandywine Heights Area School District: Students will participate in a virtual reading program that will keep the students engaged in fun activities, while embedding basic foundational reading skills/practice.
- Clay on Main: Alphabet Acrobats will provide kits to families with activities for preschool children to support pre-reading skills.
- Daniel Boone Area School District: Daniel Boone will run a four-week, district-wide virtual summer program focusing on English Language Arts and Math.
- Governor Mifflin School District: The Kindergarten Countdown program will give students an opportunity to explore an early learning environment with an academic emphasis on developing literacy skills.
- Muhlenberg School District: Muhlenberg Elementary School will use a virtual learning plateform, Class Dojo, to post videos of guest readers reading books to their students and demonstrating fun academic videos like practicing sight words with sidewalk chalk.
- Reading Public Library: The Reading Public Library Mobile Tech vans will deliver quality outreach services and programming to community centers located within the city of Reading to meet out-of-school youth.
- Millmont Elementary School: The Ready, Set, Watch us Grow with Reading program will be a virtual learning experience enhanced with books about planting, the growing process, theme-related story books, and packets of seeds for planting.
- Amanda E. Stout Elementary School: The How to Become a YouTuber: Becoming a Digital Citizen program will teach students how to become responsible digital users by creating and publishing their own ideas through the use of videos.
- Glenside Elementary: The virtual online Summer Camp Academy will be themed around rhyme time and focus on nursery rhymes.
- YMCA of Reading & Berks County: Students will be assigned three or more books each week per child for ten weeks, which they will have to complete along with a short quiz and other virtual reading activities.