Leveling Up Literacy: How 97% of Youth Beat the Summer Slide with LifeSTEPS
Each summer, students face the risk of losing important reading skills during the long break from school, a challenge known as the summer slide. This learning loss is especially common in low-income communities, and over time, it can create serious obstacles to academic success. That is why LifeSTEPS administers Big Fun in the Sun, an eight-week summer reading program designed to keep youth engaged and on track.
Big Fun in the Sun, or BFITS, helps kids fight the summer slide by giving them access to fun and engaging books, creative literacy games, and daily reading encouragement that makes learning feel like play. This year’s theme, “Level Up: Read,” transformed reading into an adventure. Inspired by video games and imaginative story worlds, the program invited kids to earn points and rewards by reading just 20 minutes a day. Through books like Minecraft: The Voyage and Jumanji, participants explored exciting new worlds while building confidence with every page turned. Each session was a chance to boost their “reading XP,” or experience points, and discover that reading can be just as thrilling as gaming.
This summer, 831 youth across California participated in BFITS, marking an 8% increase in participation compared to the previous year. Together, they read an incredible 4,782 books. The results speak volumes.
Ninety seven percent of participating youth maintained or improved their statewide reading levels, showing that a well designed program with the right support can make a measurable impact on literacy.
of participants maintained or improved their statewide reading levels
Youth Highlight: Anthony’s Story 
When Anthony* joined the LifeSTEPS After School Program, reading felt like a chore. He often avoided books, growing frustrated and upset while trying to read.
But with gentle support from his Program Coordinator, Josie, and encouragement from a reading buddy, Anthony started sounding out words and building his confidence, one page at a time.
“Anthony is not only reading better, but he’s happier, more confident, and excited to learn,” says PC Josie. “That’s the true power of BFITS.”
By the end of the summer, Anthony was no longer avoiding reading. Instead, he looked forward to it. He now sits down with books on his own and is eager to finish an entire story. Most importantly, he is more comfortable, more willing to try new words, and proud of how far he has come.
Big Fun in the Sun is not just about reading skills. It is also about helping kids gain real life strengths like self belief, teamwork, and resilience. Through game inspired challenges, daily encouragement, and the joy of discovering new stories, kids learned that progress in reading can be just as satisfying as beating a level in their favorite game.
At the end of the eight weeks, each participant received a backpack filled with school supplies, giving them the tools they need for a strong start to the school year. Thanks to the dedication of our Program Coordinators and the generosity of our partners, Big Fun in the Sun continues to help youth across California grow as readers and as confident learners, ready to level up in school and in life.
*Names have been changed.
