The 14th Annual YMCA Spelling Bee was held July 15 - 18, 2024
Each summer, YMCA Summer Campers participate in the YMCA Spelling Bee at locations across Greater St. Petersburg. Spelling bees are a fun way for students to gain public speaking experience, develop a sense of sportsmanship skills and mitigate summer learning loss.
Thank you to all the super spellers and families that joined us for the 2024 YMCA Spelling Bee! Please check back for information about next year's bee.
About the Bee
During the summer, a student’s achievement score declines on average by one month’s worth of school-year learning. The YMCA’s renowned academic curriculum is supported by an annual spelling bee for our Summer Campers.
The YMCA Spelling Bee is important because, quite simply, spelling helps reading. Studies show that if a student is not reading at grade level by 3rd grade they become 4x more likely to drop out of high school.
The YMCA Spelling Bee words are specifically chosen to blend sight words, learned during the previous grade, with words the child is expected to master by the end of the next academic year.
If a student is not reading at grade level by 3rd grade they become 4x more likely to drop out of high school.
Spelling bees also provide students with an opportunity to practice public speaking, develop self-confidence, and improve their sense of sportsmanship. Participating youth are encouraged to practice their spelling words daily, with support of Y staff and also at home with family. The Y is committed to Youth Development, while inspiring a continual love of learning throughout the entire year.
Learn more about the Y's academic emphasis in our Summer Camps and YReads! Program.
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