DeKALB – Marcella Solis looks forward every summer to the week of reading, playing and activities with friends she participates in for free right in her backyard.

The 10-year-old is one of more than 150 children throughout the county who will participate in Neighbors’ House Summer Reading Vacation program, which started this week for residents at Gideon Court.

The Summer Reading Vacations have taken place the past seven summers and have grown in popularity, said Kevin White, director of Neighbors’ House. Each summer features a new event and gives students the opportunity to participate in a physical activity, group reading activity and arts and crafts activity.