Flushing Y fights summer brain drain

When it comes to the notion of “a sound mind in a sound body,” they aren’t kidding at the Flushing YMCA Day Camp.
On Thursday, July 10, more than 130 campers at the Y, on Northern Boulevard at Bowne Street, joined the city’s largest book club for kids as part of “Summer Learning Day.”
“At our YMCA day camps, we believe that keeping your brain active is as important as keeping your body active, John Calvacante, Camp Director at the Flushing facility. “That’s why, in addition to helping kids have fun in the sun, we also encourage them to keep their minds sharp,” he said.
Research spanning over 100 years shows that students typically lose about two months of grade level equivalency in math and reading skills during the summer months, with kids from lower income homes losing more than those from higher income homes, according to the Center for Summer Learning.
“This summer we’ve introduced new initiatives such as journaling and these book clubs to help kids develop a natural desire to a love of learning - we’re treating every day as Summer Learning Day,” Calvacante said.
He continued, “Our campers’ enthusiasm proves that they are just as excited to dive into their favorite book this summer as into our YMCA’s swimming pool,” which, incidentally, just opened newly-renovated women’s locker rooms.
All 42 YMCA of Greater New York Day Camps participated in the annual event that celebrates the importance of high-quality summer learning opportunities in the lives of young people and their families.
William Nelson, Executive Director of the Flushing Y, praised the Summer Learning Day program as one of their “New initiatives designed to encourage campers to cultivate a love of learning, which in turn can improve their academic performance, leading to higher graduation rates and better preparation for college.”
Two-thirds of the achievement gap between lower- and higher-income students can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities, according to the Center for Summer Learning.
As a result, they say, low-income students are less likely to graduate from high school or enter college.
“Our Day Camps are better than they’ve ever been in line with the YMCA’s mission to help kids grow stronger in spirit, mind and body.” Nelson said.
For more than 83 years, the Flushing YMCA has been providing vital programs and services to Flushing, Whitestone, Bayside, Douglaston, and College Point. Through its full-service Branch operation and 7 program sites, the Flushing Y helps more than 14,000 kids and 10,000 adults develop to their fullest potential in spirit, mind and body, in a caring, responsible environment.
Supported in part through contributions to the Strong Kids Campaign, they provide membership assistance and scholarships to programs like summer camp, child care and teen activities, so that no one is turned away due to an inability to pay.
Visit their web site at ymcanyc.org/flushing/ to learn more.