Research shows that students lose about two months of grade level proficiency over the summer without access to engaging learning experiences. By ninth-grade, about two-thirds of the achievement gap between the test scores of higher and lower income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities during elementary school years.

In 2012, the YMCA of the USA began piloting Signature Program Models to target the achievement gap in three focus areas: summer learning, early learning, and afterschool. In the first two years of summer learning loss prevention programming, participants gained 2.4 months of reading skills. The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati has joined as a pilot site for the 2014 summer 'Y Readers' program, and will continue to incorporate reading activities at all camp sites.

At YMCA summer camps, youth have the opportunity to engage in fun, hands-on learning opportunities to keep their minds active and send them back to school prepared for the next year. All camps include time for summer reading activities and programs integrating the arts with math and language arts standards. The Y utilizes a summer learning curriculum of math and reading activities which are aligned to the Common Core Academic Standards and the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets, which are indicators that lead to healthy decision making, when present in a child's life.

The Y's focus on youth development includes year-round programming to support the academic, physical, and social-emotional development from cradle to career - with holistic programs that not only close the gap, but help kids realize their full potential.