Reading is a mainstay throughout all of our summer camps. It gives kids a chance to slow down amidst a full day of recreation, gardening, creative arts, and the overall summer buzz.

More importantly, though, it keeps kids’ minds in gear and helps them avoid the phenomenon of the summer learning loss. Each of the nearly 3,000 kids in our camps reads anywhere from 90 to 180 minutes a week each day. Local officials on Staten Island join us at Goodhue every year to celebrate this component of our work with our younger campers.

This year, we were joined by Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon, New York State Assembly Member Matthew Titone, and several other representatives from state and city government. They treated kids to some classic musical tales including Zin! Zin! Zin!, a Violin, I Know Who Swallowed a Cello, Dooby Dooby Moo, and Max Found Two Sticks. 

Many thanks to the leaders for their dedication.