Because students can lose ground on reading skills while school is out, the YMCA has added a new component to its summer camps to keep that from happening.

To encourage summer reading, every YMCA camper will receive his or her own library card. And for every 200 minutes of reading they do and track online, they will receive a small prize.

The YMCA of York County offers camp at three locations - Camp Spirit in Mount Wolf, Camp Sun 'N Fun in Shrewsbury and the YMCA Kids Club in downtown York.

All three day camps are partnering with the York County Library System for the new summer reading loss prevention program.

The YMCA says low-income students lose more than two months in reading achievement over the summer, despite the fact their middle-class peers make slight gains.

"While summer should be a time of exploration, youth are sometimes less involved in activities that stimulate their mind and body," said Chelsea Prichett, director of Camp Spirit.

YMCA day camps encourage children to get outside and learn about nature, take on new responsibilities and gain independence, Pritchett said.

Financial assistance is available for anyone in need, and no one will be turned away due to inability to pay, according to the YMCA. The camps begin June 11 and run all summer. Campers may register until the Friday before the week they would like to attend, or can opt to attend for the entire summer.

For information about Camp Spirit, visit http://www.yorkcoymca.org/Pages/Camp-Spirit.aspx or contact Director Chelsea Prichett at 717-292-5622 or cprichett@yorkcoymca.org

For information about Camp Sun 'N Fun, visit http://www.yorkcoymca.org/Pages/Camp-Sun-N-Fun.aspx or contact Director Matt Doran at 717-235-0446 or mdoran@yorkcoymca.org

For information about YMCA Kids Club, contact Director Jennifer Baldwin at 717-843-7884 or jbaldwin@yorkcoymca.org.

-Reach Chelsea Shank at 505-5432 or cshank@yorkdispatch.com.