# Building Summer Reading Programs That Work

Bob Bolduc, founder of Hope for Youth and Families, identified a critical gap in 2023. Students faced a literacy crisis during summer months when school support disappears. His nonprofit developed a structured 4-week summer reading program designed to prevent learning loss and build lasting reading skills.

The program rests on six core principles that educators and nonprofit leaders can replicate.

**Clear goals matter first.** Programs need measurable objectives tied to grade-level reading standards. Generic summer activities do not reverse the summer slide, the documented decline in reading proficiency that occurs during breaks.

**Book selection drives engagement.** Programs must stock titles that match student interests and reading levels. Mismatched books frustrate struggling readers and bore advanced ones. Bolduc's approach pairs diverse, high-interest titles with guided reading activities.

**Structure creates accountability.** Four weeks provides enough time to build momentum without overwhelming students or families. Weekly milestones and check-ins keep participants on track.

**Community partnerships amplify reach.** Hope for Youth and Families works with schools, libraries, and local organizations to distribute books and gather volunteers. Isolated programs serve fewer students than networked ones.

**Family involvement increases impact.** Programs that train parents as reading partners see stronger retention gains. Home reading reinforcement extends beyond program hours.

**Ongoing assessment informs instruction.** Pre- and post-program reading assessments show which students need additional support and which made measurable progress. Data guides program adjustments year to year.

Research confirms the stakes. Students who do not read over summer lose up to two months of reading gains, with disadvantaged students experiencing steeper losses. A four-week intensive program with trained facilitators, book access, and family engagement can interrupt this pattern.

Bolduc's framework offers a replicable model for school districts and nonprofits. Districts