This is a partnered post with Brain Chase. As always, all thoughts and opinions stated are my own.
It’s already March and that means the countdown to summer is on. The kids usually don’t start their countdowns until May, but I start mine the week after spring break. After spending the week going at a leisurely pace and doing whatever it is we want, I look forward to the slow mornings with no rushing and stress. I look forward to the days in the pool or at the park. I look forward to impromptu movie dates with my children and surprise visits to the zoo.
In case I haven’t made it clear yet — I love summer and the time I get to spend with my children!
But I’ve heard the studies year after year that say children perform one to two months behind after returning to school after summer break. While I absolutely adore the time with my children during the summer, I know we need to do things that keep their minds sharp so that when they return to school, their little brains are sharp and ready to learn. That’s why I’m so excited for my children to participate in Brain Chase this summer. Not only is it an online treasure hunt, it’s a summer learning program for kids.
Summer Learning Program
Brain Chase is a 5-week summer learning program that offers structured challenges for children in grades 2nd – 8th in reading, math and writing. Each day (5 days per week) requires about an hour of online academic work in a fun animated adventure series with hidden puzzles and clues. In addition to the weekly reading and math challenges, children will also participate in a weekly writing exercise that will be reviewed by a credentialed teacher. Teachers will give feedback on the writing exercise so that the child can improve and grow in their writing skills.
During the course of the challenge, tools will be sent to help with the process of deciphering the clues given. The photo above shows some of the items participants received last year. Packages will be sent throughout the challenge and can be shipped to alternate addresses if you plan on traveling during the course.
During the 5-week summer learning program not only are the children participating in reading, math and writing assignments, but every time they complete tasks they unlock animated webisodes that unlock clues to the location of a $10,000 college scholarship buried somewhere on the Earth. If the work is not completed, children will be unable to advance to unlock other clues.
Each day participants will be given the opportunity to drop a pin to guess the location of the buried treasure based on the clues received to date. The first child/family that correctly drops the pin on the correct location will be flown out to dig up the treasure and claim the prize.
Brain Chase has partnered with learning institutions like Khan Academy and myON to supply the online learning material that is tailored for each individual child with their own account. Since I have three children, each child will need to have their own account, although the family can work together to try to figure out the location of the scholarship based on the clues received.
The 2014 winners were from Austin, Texas and correctly identified the treasure location in the South of France. The family was flown to France so that the boys (they worked as a team) could dig up the treasure and claim the prize.
This year’s program will officially begin at 9:00 am EST on June 22, 2015 and the challenge is to find the Sunstone of Cortes. Are you up for the challenge?
And for a limited time only, I have an incredible offer to pass on to you. Now through April 15, 2015 my readers can receive a 15% discount on their Brain Chase purchase. Simply by using the code SIMPLYBEING15 at checkout you will receive the discounted pricing. If you purchase before April 15th, with the discount and early bird pricing, you’ll pay only $127 for the the first child. Each additional child is $100, but with the discount it comes out to just $85. For all three of my children it will cost me less than $300 for a 5-week summer learning program. I think this is such an incredible deal and I can’t wait for my children to participate.
In the coming weeks I’ll also have a giveaway for a complimentary registration for one child. Make sure you’re following on Twitter and Facebook so that you don’t miss the announcement.
How do you prevent summer brain drain?
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
That sounds like such a wonderful program for kids. I think it is important to keep their minds sharp over the summer months.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
This is great! I love having something to keep my kids’ brains active over the summer, and I love that it’s fun. I don’t have to fight them over it!
Debbie Denny says
I just love the sound of this. A fun and great way to learn
Andrea says
I just recently discovered this and it looks great, thank you for sharing. 🙂
Michelle F. says
That sounds like a great program. I love how kids can have fun learning during the summer time.
Jennifer @ Mom Spotted says
Gavin would really love something like this! Thanks for sharing and the discount code!
Liz Mays says
Now that is a cool way to earn a scholarship. It’s so awesome that they actually will be able to dig up the treasure and claim their scholarship!
Michele says
Love that a scholarship is being given away–money is always needed for schooling–no matter how much you try to save! This sounds like a fun program as well as keeping those brains in tip top shape.
Crystal From Tidbits of Experience says
This sounds like a great program to do with the kids over the summer. Anything to keep their minds active and in use over the summer is a good idea. Thank you for telling us about it.
Marcie W. says
This looks like a wonderful program! I absolutely love and cherish summer vacation with my babies but keeping them learning and thinking is very important as well.
Nina Say says
That is a really cool compass. I love the feeling of adventure behind Brain Chase.
Pam says
We prevent brain drain by going to cool historic sites. This is a great way to keep brain drain at bay too.
Stacey- Travel Blogger says
This looks like a lot of fun for the children! It helps with the loss of education while being out of school during the summer!
christina aliperti says
I try to get my son to read through out the summer. I look for books and magazines that are about topics he enjoys to make it more fun and less work.
Jessica says
I cant stand how stagnant our kids get with learning during the summer break. They get out of the habit of learning. This is a great way to keep them in the routine of learning and its all hands on. I am sure it is a lot of fun.
Rosey says
I love the kids being home for summer. We travel a bit and schedule fun things, but they’re still always ready to go back when it’s time. I’m the one who wishes the vacay would last longer. 🙂
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly says
No kids, but I was a former special ed teacher and I would always encourage parents to find creative ways to keep the kids learning during the summer months! This looks great!
Jeannette says
My son is so crazy excited about this program and the prize is really amazing! I can’t wait till this summer so the fun can begin!
Ellen Christian says
Sounds like a great way to make learning fun. My son would have really enjoyed this.
Kelly Hutchinson says
My daughter is a huge book reader, so she reads a lot, even in the summer. I think this program would be a great addition to her summer activities.
Dee @ Cocktails with Mom says
I will be looking into this for my son. Doing fun things are always on the list so something like this would be a nice balance.
Cat Davis says
I absolutely love this idea for my kids. They seem to lose so much information from school during the summer months. This one is going to be even harder on them with the move so I definitely want to help them retain some of what they learned.
James Hills says
That looks like a great game! So much fun!
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
I have been looking for something like this. I want my son to keep up on his studies this summer.
Marina says
We do a lot of e-learning programs, books from the library and education excursions, when possible. I should look into Brain Chase!
Angela says
Neat! This is a summer program I haven’t heard of before. I’ll be checking into this more.
Valerie Remy-Milora says
I can’t believe how fast this year is going.. My oldest will be graduating high school soi summer is coming much too fast! This program sounds super fun and just right for my 7 year old!
Amanda O. says
I would totally enroll my son in this. What a great program for kids!
Lynsey @MoscatoMom says
We are doing this too – super excited! I love that both girls are excited about doing it – even my teenager. I too am a mom who looks forward to Summer… I am counting down the days until I can shut off that alarm clock for a while lol
Ashley Sears says
We homeschool, but this looks like something my kids will love this summer! We are always looking for new and creative ways to stretch their little brains.
Jacqui says
This sounds like a lot of fun! I love that it is keeping their mind going during the summer.
Tonia @TheChattyMomma says
I love summer learning programs. I’m trying to find a great program for my kids right now.
Ashley says
What a great way to keep them busy and engaged this summer. Awesome program. 🙂
Danielle K says
This looks like so much fun. My son would love something like this!
Lena says
Very curious about this program – would be so cool for the kids in summer