Former Golden Bear running back Patrick Laird of  Tampa Bay Buccaneers initiated the Summer Reading Challenge in 2018 to motivate students to sustain their reading habits throughout the summer, mitigating summer learning loss. The challenge fostered a vibrant community of readers and culminated in an enriching experience for all attendees at Cal’s opening game. In 2019, Mike Saffell carried on Laird's legacy, and over 2000 students earned tickets to witness Cal Football in action. After a pause in the challenge due to the pandemic, Brian Driscoll brought back the challenge and carried the challenge into 2023. Continuing our commitment to promoting literacy among young people in the Easy Bay, this year, our leader Jack Endries, along with the entire Cal Football team, join forces to carry on the challenge and combat summer learning loss.

Cal will provide 2 free tickets to the Cal vs. Minnesota home game on September 13th,  to all students in 1st - 8th grade who complete the Summer Reading Challenge. We encourage everyone to share their participation in the Summer Reading Challenge by posting online using the hashtag #ReadWithBears.

The Cal Football Summer Reading Challenge is a community-wide effort. Special thank you to our Reading Challenge partners for their collaboration and support: 

Berkeley United in Literacy Development (BUILD) 

Berkeley Unified School District 

Berkeley Public Library 

Book Inc's Reading Bridge

Cal Athletics & Cal Football 

West Contra Costa Unified School District 

West Contra Costa Education Fund 

Oakland Unified School District 

Oakland Unified School District  Expanded Learning

Oakland Athletic League

Readers have the option of participating in the Berkeley Public Library Summer Reading Challenge to receive their 2 free Cal Football tickets. See more information about the Berkeley Public Library Reading Challenge here. 

Reading Challenge by Grade Level: 

• 1st & 2nd Grade: Read 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week and log your 3 favorite books  in the Summer Reading Journal 

• 3rd-5th Grade: Read 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week and log your 3 favorite books  in the Summer Reading Journal 

• 6th - 8th Grade: Read 5 chapter books and log your 5 favorite chapter books  in the Summer Reading Journal 

Timeline:  

• Summer: Read and fill out the Summer Reading Journal (access above)*  

• August 20th: Deadline for electronic submission & ticket redemption. 

• August 31st: Deadline for physical reading log submissions. 

  • Cheer on the Bears as they take on UC Davis on August 31st! 

**Students will have the option to submit their reading journals or beanstack confirmation page screenshots electronically (from July 8th - August 20th) or turn in their physical journals in person (starting July 8th - Game Day (8/31) at the Athletic Ticket Office at UC Berkeley. Students and families are encouraged to redeem their tickets electronically before the August 20th game to avoid game day lines at the Athletic Ticket Office. See below for more information about ticket redemption. 

There are several ways to submit a completed reading journal and redeem 2 free tickets to the Cal vs. Minnesota home game on September 13th. Review the following ways to redeem your tickets below: 

Important Ticket Notice: 

We’re excited for your participation in the Cal Football Reading Challenge! Please note: complimentary tickets provided through this program are for personal use only. Any tickets found listed on secondary resale markets will be voided and revoked immediately. Let’s keep this a special experience for our readers—thank you for your cooperation!

ELECTRONIC BY September 6th  (PREFERRED): Fill out the reading challenge journal electronically with the help of a parent or upload a photo of your completed log OR screenshot of beanstack (an online platform used in the Berkeley Library reading program). Submit your reading journal electronically starting July 8th. 

You will be asked if you’d like your tickets electronically or to pick them up at will call prior to the game. If you choose to have them delivered electronically, they will be sent to your mobile device. For more information on the mobile ticket, see here. 

IN PERSON BEFORE SEPTEMBER 13TH: Turn your physical journal in at the Cal Athletic Ticket Office. You can visit the ticket office prior to the game during normal business hours.

Cal Athletic Ticket Office:

1923 Gridiron Way, Berkeley 94720

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 9am - 4pm

GAME DAY PICK UP:

On game day, you can redeem your two free tickets at two locations:

• Will Call - Cal Athletic Ticket Office (open 4 hours prior to kick-off) 

  • This option is for those who have chosen the option to pick up their complimentary tickets at Will Call or who do not need to purchase additional discounted tickets. 

• Ticket Sales Window - located next to the Will Call window at the Cal Athletic Ticket office. 

  • This option is for those who would like to purchase additional discounted tickets in addition to their 2 free tickets. 

Family members of the reading challenge participant can purchase additional tickets at a discounted price. Families can purchase additional family member discounted tickets in two ways: 

•  Online Redemption: Once a completed reading journal or Beanstack confirmation is submitted electronically, parents will receive a promo code to use to purchase additional discounted tickets online. Additional tickets will need to be purchased at the same time you are redeeming your 2 complimentary tickets, or families risk not being seated together.  

• Game day: Families have the option to purchase the additional discounted tickets while they are redeeming their complimentary tickets on game day within the Athletic Ticket Office Window that are located next to the Will Call windows. 

Summer learning loss refers to the decline in children's reading development that occurs during summer vacation when children are away from the classroom. Summer reading during the summer months is tremendously important to student success. Overall, summer reading is an important and valuable activity that can benefit students in many ways, both academically and personally.

• More than two months of reading skills can be lost over the summer vacation period

• Students who show up in the fall with declined reading proficiency levels fall farther behind than students who maintain or gain in reading proficiency throughout the summer months

• Declines can compound, resulting in over two years worth of lost reading development by 6th grade

The Good News: 

Summer learning loss can be fully overcome by encouraging students to read over the summer. Reading just 4-6 books over the summer can help eliminate Summer Learning Loss. 

Tips to get kids reading during the summer: 

• Letting students choose their own books makes them more likely to read over the summer

• It's important students find the right books based on their interests and reading level. 

• Creating a structure for students as well as providing incentives, can motivate kids to achieve their summer reading goals. 

• Visit your local library's children’s section to promote reading and check out all the fun & family friendly community activities! 

• Participate in the Cal Football Summer Reading Challenge!

• Berkeley Public Library - Summer Learning 

• Oakland Reads: Explore milestones & resources by age and grade level to support young readers

• OUSD digital library - SORA