Summer My Way program begins in Niles

NILES, Mich. -- Approximately 300 students in the Niles Community School district are participating in the Summer My Way program. It is a way to keep kids learning, even when they're out of school.

School is out for summer, but that doesn’t mean kids in the Niles Community School district have stopped hitting the books.

“I see he’s having fun and he’s learning but he doesn’t know that he’s learning," said Brandon Schlutt, a parent of a child in the Summer My Way program.

Schlutt's child is going to be a second grader next year. The Summer My Way program is a proactive approach to learning over the summer.

“Overall, during the summer the kids are lounging around, or outside just playing. They’re not picking up the book, they’re not doing work, but here they get some of that so they don’t have that summer slump," said Schlutt.

This summer is the first time the program has been offered through Niles Community Schools. It’s aimed at bridging the learning gap that can slow students down each year.

“From the time they get out of school in June, just the first couple of weeks kids start losing those skills they acquired through that consistent structure they had all year long," said Kirsten Henry, a teacher in Summer My Way.

To keep it fun, it’s taught through hands-on activities and lessons.

“They’re at summer camp and they don’t even know that they are learning how to count, and spell, through learning fruits and vegetables and they get all of their safety skills in all of their different age groups," said Henry.

“It gives them the opportunity to be out there with their friends, learning, being active, and having fun all at the same time," said Schlutt.

Click here for more information about the Summer My Way program.