Utilizing BookNook to Fight the Summer Slide in 2025

In Summer 2025, Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware proudly served as a Get Delaware Reading (GDR) partner, delivering the BookNook literacy program across 13 Club locations. As part of United Way of Delaware’s mission to curb the “summer slide” and help young readers thrive, our Clubs played a pivotal role in offering structured, high-impact literacy support in a fun, community-based environment.

United Way’s statewide initiative reached nearly 2,500 students across 50 sites, including Boys & Girls Clubs, where literacy sessions were woven seamlessly into summer camp experiences to make reading both accessible and engaging. [uwde.org]

Our Impact by the Numbers

The 2025 program demonstrated meaningful growth for Delaware’s young readers, especially for Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware Club kids.

From the report you shared, here’s what happened across Clubs statewide:

• 1,100+ literacy interns were hired across Boys & Girls Clubs statewide to facilitate reading sessions with trained support

• 2,387 students participated in BookNook sessions hosted at Clubs

• Students completed 6,800+ BookNook sessions, amounting to more than 9.8 tutoring hours per student on average

• 59% of participating students improved at least one lesson band, and overall, students gained an average of 2.56 lesson bands over the seven‑week summer program

• Students collectively practiced 179 unique literacy standards, reinforcing grade‑level reading skills through personalized, adaptive learning

  
  

These results reflect the strength of a program that merges high-dosage tutoring with the supportive, youth-centered environment that Boys & Girls Clubs are known for.

How BookNook Works — And Why It Matters

BookNook is a synchronous online learning platform designed to support structured literacy tutoring through short, targeted lessons that adapt to each child's needs. According to United Way of Delaware, BookNook is a cornerstone of its strategy to combat summer learning loss, leveraging technology, one‑on‑one support, and small‑group instruction to close literacy gaps. [unitedway.org]

During the summer, this meant that Boys & Girls Clubs could deliver reading instruction right where kids already felt comfortable — alongside friends, caring mentors, and fun summer programming. United Way highlights that Get Delaware Reading Summer programs turn reading into a joyful activity by embedding them in trusted community spaces, which is essential for boosting confidence and skill-building. [uwde.org]

A Strong Partnership for Delaware’s Kids

Our collaboration with United Way of Delaware continues to demonstrate what’s possible when nonprofits, educators, and community leaders work together toward a shared goal: ensuring every child in Delaware has the tools they need to thrive.

United Way’s research notes that Delaware students—particularly those in low‑income communities—are disproportionately impacted by summer learning loss. Programs like Get Delaware Reading Summer and BookNook serve as critical interventions to keep children on track. By reaching students “where they are,” including summer camps run by trusted partners like Boys & Girls Clubs, literacy programs become more impactful and accessible. [uwde.org]

Building Skills, Confidence, and Future Leaders

One of the highlights of the 2025 program was the use of high school literacy interns, who were trained and paid to support BookNook sessions throughout the summer. These interns not only helped younger students build reading confidence — they also gained leadership experience, workforce readiness skills, and meaningful mentorship opportunities. United Way reports that these roles help spark future careers and strengthen Delaware’s pipeline of young leaders. [unitedway.org]

Looking Ahead

The success of Summer 2025 reinforced the value of bringing literacy programs directly into the spaces where kids spend their summer days. At Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware, we remain committed to providing engaging learning opportunities that help young people reach their full potential — not just during the school year, but all year long.

Together with United Way of Delaware, our staff, interns, families, and community partners, we helped turn Summer 2025 into a season of discovery, growth, and reading success for thousands of young people and look forward to growing our impact even more in the future!

Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware Impact Report

United Way GDR Report