Reading Buddies
Reading Buddies program helps children build positive relationships with reading and writing. Children in grades 1-3 are matched with an adult volunteer or University of Colorado student for 10-12 sessions. Each week, Reading Buddies pairs spend 90 minutes playing games, reading books, and writing their own story, while having fun and building confidence.
This program is offered in the Fall, Spring, and Summer free of cost. Sign up today!
Little Buddies enrollment for Summer 2025 coming soon!
Summer 2025 semester dates:
At NoBo July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Interested in volunteering as a Big Buddy?
Application for Summer 2025 coming soon!
Summer semester dates: Tuesdays or Thursdays in June or July
Be a part of inviting young learners to discover the power and joy of reading!
What volunteers (Big Buddies) do? Mentor a young learner in 1st-3rd grade!
- You’ll have the opportunity to build a connection with your student (Little Buddy) each week as you play literacy games, read books, and write a story.
- Your Little Buddy will receive your one-on-one attention and support to increase their reading and writing confidence, which we hope will inspire a long-lasting love for reading.
- Over the course of the semester, you and your Little Buddy will compose and illustrate an original story to be shared with families in a final celebration.
Requirements for volunteering:
- Attend weekly 2-hour shifts on your assigned day.
- Be open and friendly with 1st-3rd graders to promote a love of reading.
- Be fully engaged for the entirety of each Reading Buddies session by engaging in games, drawing, reading, crafts, etc. with your Little Buddy. (Hint: Limited phone use.)
- Be patient with young learners.
- Be willing and able to commit to all Reading Buddies sessions throughout the semester (See all dates and times at this link)
- Maintain regular email and/or text message communication with the Reading Buddies Coordinator.
- Minimum age to be a Big Buddy: 16 years old
For more information:
Please email BoulderReads staff at [email protected] or text us at 1-844-303-5359.
Reading Buddies in the News
CU-Boulder students, elementary schoolers discover ties that bind
Reading Buddies on Inside Boulder News
CU – Buddies For Life: Building More Than Books
We at BoulderReads want to express our gratitude to everyone who has generously donated to the Boulder Library Foundation. Their generous support makes the Reading Buddies program and many other great programs possible. Please consider donating to support their important work.