Host READ Up Summer Events
Nonprofits, businesses, school districts and other organizations can work in collaboration with The Children’s Reading Foundation to make summer reading a community affair with READ Up events.
The READ Up program helps keep reading as part of daily summer routines with free and fun events. READ Up events are for children from birth to age 8 and their parents or caregivers. The events are free for attendees and materials are available in English and Spanish.
Ideally, a READ Up event should be planned for each week of the summer break, up to 8-weeks. However, some communities hold fewer events, due to available local resources. Adding a reading component to an existing community event such as a July 4th celebration, county fair, or other events where families gather during summer is encouraged. Partnering with summer school programs or summer feeding programs are also successful models.
The Children’s Reading Foundation provides a library of materials to help with promotion before and during events, as well as print-ready graphics you can provide vendors to print materials and produce giveaway items you choose to offer.
READ Up events may be different in each community but some features are always the same...
- All children from birth to age 8 and their parents or caregiver are welcome. This is a special time to enjoy books and spend time together.
- Free reading activities and children’s books are provided; ideally to be given out at weekly events throughout the summer.
- At each event, every child selects a new book for their very own and often leave with other fun take-home materials (e.g., stickers, bookmarks, etc.).
- Parents receive new skills, motivation, and encouragement to read 20 minutes every day with their children. Depending on the available budget, the adult attendees may also be given take-home materials to help encourage their young readers.
- Dates, times, and locations of READ Up events are promoted early and posted throughout the community.
- Utilize websites, community partners, libraries, radio, flyers, school newsletters, and other means to broadly promote your events.
Contact us to learn more about serving children in your community with the READ Up: Stop the Summer Slide program.
