CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- For many children, a long summer vacation is a welcome relief from school, a respite from the grind of constant homework, assignments and stress. But it also can be a time for students who have fallen behind in reading and writing to get some much-needed help.

The Academic Tune-Up Summer Camp, sponsored by the nonprofit Appalachian Reading Center, uses the summer months to provide individualized reading and spelling help to low-income children. It is a nine-week program that begins June 11.

"These are students who have struggled for years with reading and haven't responded to interventions," said Jennifer Carriger, director of the summer camp. "Students come in for a few hours a day and work with tutors or in small groups to understand how the English language works."

Last year, Johnny entered the summer reading camp unable to spell one word. He had received tutoring and extra help in class, but something just didn't click.

Johnny attended the Academic Tune-Up summer camp thanks in part to a sponsorship from the Gazette Charities Send-A-Child-To-Camp Fund, and after nine weeks was able to read and spell a handful of words.

The Academic Tune-Up Summer camp is looking to raise $540 to send 12 low-income children like Johnny to their nine-week summer camp.

If you would like to help sponsor a student to attend the Academic Tune-Up Summer Camp or another camp, mail your donation to the Gazette Charities Send-A-Child-To-Camp Fund, 1001 Virginia St. E., Charleston, WV 25301. To donate online, go to wvgazette.com and click on the camp fund logo.

Every penny donated goes to camp scholarships. The Gazette covers all administrative costs.

Reach Amy Julia Harris at amy.har...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-4814.

The Academic Tune-Up Summer Camp, sponsored by the nonprofit Appalachian Reading Center, uses the summer months to provide individualized reading and spelling help to low-income children. It is a nine-week program that begins June 11.

"These are students who have struggled for years with reading and haven't responded to interventions," said Jennifer Carriger, director of the summer camp. "Students come in for a few hours a day and work with tutors or in small groups to understand how the English language works."

Last year, Johnny entered the summer reading camp unable to spell one word. He had received tutoring and extra help in class, but something just didn't click.

Johnny attended the Academic Tune-Up summer camp thanks in part to a sponsorship from the Gazette Charities Send-A-Child-To-Camp Fund, and after nine weeks was able to read and spell a handful of words.

The Academic Tune-Up Summer camp is looking to raise $540 to send 12 low-income children like Johnny to their nine-week summer camp.

If you would like to help sponsor a student to attend the Academic Tune-Up Summer Camp or another camp, mail your donation to the Gazette Charities Send-A-Child-To-Camp Fund, 1001 Virginia St. E., Charleston, WV 25301. To donate online, go to wvgazette.com and click on the camp fund logo.

Every penny donated goes to camp scholarships. The Gazette covers all administrative costs.

Reach Amy Julia Harris at amy.har...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-4814.