This summer reading program improves literacy and nurtures an appreciation for the written word. Participants in grades 4th-12th break out into age appropriate classes, engage in written and oral activities, create presentations, journal, participate in debates and holistically build successful reading strategies from start to finish. Books, hand-selected annually by the CLD’s program coordinator, are relevant and engaging.

Indianapolis Youth Development students are encouraged to internalize and adopt the following literacy pledge:

“I understand that the key to freedom is literacy. To be literate, I must read and always learn. Today, I have the freedom to read and learn as much as I want without consequences. In the pursuit of educational excellence, literacy is the key.

So I make this pledge to improve and enhance my literacy skills by reading and learning. By my commitment to literacy, I am also pledging to focus on my education and to secure my rightful place of achievement in life.”