Enroll rising 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders in a FREE four-week, daily, five-hour immersive summer reading camp.
Sponsored by the Episcopal Church, Summer Camp Reading is an enriching experience where children get individual tutoring, play literacy games, engage in reading and writing activities, discuss values and citizenship, and even participate in service projects.
Moreover, every child also gets to take home books to own and keep. And the best part? All of it, including breakfast and lunch, is free!
The Summer Camp Reading program has proven to be effective. Children are expected to have a 10 percent summer loss of knowledge from the prior school year. Campers have significantly improved reading skills despite the pandemic exacerbating this loss.
A Typical Day at Summer Camp Reading
A typical day at Summer Camp Reading is packed with fun and learning. Campers experience daily individual tutoring, group curriculum work, vocabulary-building activities, journal writing, and literacy games. Through service projects and group discussions, groups will reflect on values and good citizenship.
The camp day has time for silent reading or reading aloud to help improve comprehension and fluency. Each day is wrapped up with a discussion about the book of the day. This discussion sparks excitement and curiosity among the campers.
Summer Camp Reading attendees will experience…
- Daily individual tutoring
- Curriculum work in a group
- Adding to vocabulary
- Writing in journals
- Playing literacy games
- Reading and taking books home to own
- Reflecting on values and good citizenship
- Working on a service project
- Exercising
- Making crafts
- Having fun
- Eating breakfast and lunch

Summer Camp Reading Team
A dedicated team of experienced educators runs the Summer Camp Reading program. Each educator is passionate about creating a positive and fun learning environment.
Each site includes a site director, 2-3 tutors (depending on camp size), and an assistant director. With the combined expertise in reading instruction, the program is a successful endeavor.
Related Article: Kid-friendly activities to enjoy in Cincinnati
Camp Registration and Eligibility
Summer Camp Reading camps, located in the greater Cincinnati area, are free of charge and open to qualifying families. Students entering the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade and needing assistance with reading; families are encouraged to consider this program. It’s not just a summer camp; it’s a place where every child improves and grows.
Locations
College Hill July 3-28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Jaumall Davis | Lincoln Heights June 19-July 14, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Denise Bentley | Walnut Hills July 3-28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Althea Barnett |
Downtown July 3-28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Marsha Piphus | Over the Rhine July 3-28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Janice Pitts | West Price Hill July 3-28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tiffany Strickland Text only |
Evanston July 3-28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Amy Moser | Price Hill July 3-28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Laila Hameen | *Para Los Que Hablan Español pueden llamar Laila Hameen |
Summer Camp Reading Background
Reading doesn’t always come naturally for some children and therefore lose knowledge during the school year. Cincinnati Public Schools reports that 45% of its third graders do not read proficiently. The Ohio Department of Education says that 71.4% of Ohio students are economically disadvantaged and cannot afford private tutors or reading aids.
To address this problem, the Episcopal Church is introducing the Summer Camp Reading program. This dynamic four-week daily experience is for struggling readers in greater Cincinnati going into 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades.
Related Article: Cincinnati Summer Camps for kids of all ages
Written by: Crystal Kendrick
Source: Summer Camp Reading
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Images provided by Summer Camp Reading
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