COVID-19 disrupted the school year, creating more challenges for kids to engage in schoolwork. The stress of growing up during a global pandemic, dealing with loss, adjusting to new routines, not seeing friends and trying to learn remotely, have all added up. Summer programs provide so much more to kids in our community than a chance to catch up academically.

Summer reading, classes, camps, and out-of-school activities offer kids a chance to grow and thrive so they can reach their full potential. But for many kids, summer is also a time when they lose the knowledge and skills they built during the school year, and could result in loss of two to three months of learning.

Pocono Mountains United Way supports the summer STEAM-R camp to help kids thrive. Last year, 248 students in K – 5^th grade participated and received resources and supplies to complete learning projects at home. Parents and guardians can prevent summer learning loss by reading to their child 15 minutes a day and to help build children’s libraries, we will distribute free books at our Back-to-School Drive-Thru event on August 3^rd, 4pm – 7pm.

For children to grow, learn and thrive, it is important for them to eat healthy meals and snacks. In Monroe County, almost 50 % of children ate a free or reduced-price lunch during the 2020-2021 school year. Summer meal programs help kids continue to have access to healthy, nutritious meals. To find a summer meal site near you, please text “FOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877877.

To learn more about our Back to School Drive Thru event, please visit https://poconounitedway.org/events/.  To partner with us to support education initiatives in our community please contact Roxanne@PoconoUnitedWay.org