Virtual
StoryTent
One-one-One Literacy Support & Mentorship
After Just 2 Program Periods…
71%
of 1st grade students increased their reading level by at least 1 level
40%
of 1st grade students found reading to be easier than before participating in the Virtual StoryTent
The Virtual StoryTent offers personalized reading support for students entering 1st-3rd grade. Children are matched with a vetted and trained reading mentor for one-on-one reading sessions via Zoom every week.
During Virtual StoryTent sessions, children and their mentors will read together, play literacy games, and talk about books.
Children will earn Book Bucks to spend on prizes that can be shipped to them at no cost.
Why do we use prizes? Learn more here!
2024 Program Dates Coming Soon!
Have Questions About the Program?
We’re available to meet with you virtually! Contact us today to learn more about our Virtual StoryTent program.
Watch the “Why I Like My Reading Mentor” Video
Your child will read with the same reading mentor every week for the 9-week program. Mentors are trained to connect with your child based on their interests and skill level. Mentors are volunteers who are passionate about helping children succeed!
Benefits of the Virtual StoryTent
Increase Reading Skills
Children fall in love with reading and develop reading proficiency. As a result, children are more likely to enjoy school and engage in learning.
Build Confidence & Communication Skills
Our trained mentors help children build trust, become more confident, and learn stronger communication skills.
Create More Personal Agency
Using Book Bucks and prizes, children set goals and work with their mentor to achieve them. Children learn delayed gratification, financial literacy skills, and increase their belief in their ability to achieve.
Registration Process
What to expect
STEP 1:
Fill out the registration form online! Complete the scholarship application or pay what you can.
STEP 2:
Look for an email from us confirming your program session day/time. Make sure to respond by the deadline!
STEP 3:
We’ll pair your reader with a Reading Mentor & set-up your child’s StoryTent account.
STEP 4:
Look for an email from Traveling Stories with your StoryTent account info & instructions to join your first reading session!
What Parents Are Saying
"Brianna loves this program and looks forward to her meetings with Keesha. By working one-on-one this has not only helped her reading but it's helped her confidence in speaking online."
— Jennifer K. (Parent)
"[My son] really has enjoyed the program! I think the companionship/friendship almost as much as the reading and prizes! Thanks so much for doing this!"
— Sarah (Parent)
"My son was more excited for his sessions with storytents than he was for his online sessions with the Kansas State reading program we did over the summer...and that cost us over $200! The state program did do more with reading education, but my son had more fun with StoryTents. Thank you!"
— Katherine R. (Parent)
Tell your teacher or after school program about the Virtual StoryTent!
Help more children access personalized reading support
Our 9-week program is offered 4x each year
Caregivers select the day/time of their child’s weekly reading session when they register
Scholarships are available, or caregivers may pay on a sliding scale
Download a promotional flyer, or contact us to learn more!
Program Support
We Provide:
Text
Reminders
Text reminders are sent out 60 minutes and 15 minutes before each session.
Live Tech
Support
During sessions, Traveling Stories is available via text, email and phone to provide live support.
Clear
Instructions
Whether students participate from home or school, we try to equip them to be able to login to sessions with minimal help from adults.
Safety
Measures
At least one adult must be within the child’s earshot during sessions. Adults are welcome to attend sessions, but they are not required to. Sessions may be monitored for quality control.
Help Us Provide the Virtual StoryTent to More Children
Just $60 sponsors one student for a 9-week program. Donate or Apply to volunteer today.
Data Makes the Difference
We define success as achieving the following outcomes in children’s lives:
Higher reading proficiency
Increased love of reading
Improved personal confidence
Stronger belief in one's ability to achieve
Based on experience and research, we believe these are key outcomes to increase a child's ability to achieve their dreams.
To see if we are achieving these outcomes we collect the following data:
When children enroll in the program, we ask parents to tell us their child's current reading level so we can create a baseline.
After every virtual StoryTent session, reading mentors fill out a reader development report to track changes in reading level, reading enjoyment, personal confidence, and communication skills. We also track how many Book Bucks a child earns and which prizes they buy.
We send surveys to parents at the beginning, middle, and end of the program to collect their input about their child’s experience and development.
Get Involved
Want to help Traveling Stories empower more children to achieve their dreams? Discover the many ways you can support us, from volunteering, to donating books and toys, to partnering with us, and much more!