Hampton Roads, VA 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Ages 9–13

Bridging
the Knowledge
Gap.

Structured learning experiences through educational outings and field trips designed to expand background knowledge, build academic confidence, and provide meaningful real-world connections for Hampton Roads youth ages 9 to 13.

Discover the Program Give Now Enroll a Child
Over
20
Years of Experience
0
Excursions
9–13
Ages Served
$0
Program Cost to Families
The Knowledge Gap Experience
Donor-Funded
Hampton Roads
501(c)(3)
501(c)(3) Organization Hampton Roads, Virginia Donor-Funded Programming Educator-Led EIN: 41-4298581 Bridging Knowledge. Building Futures. 501(c)(3) Organization Hampton Roads, Virginia Donor-Funded Programming Educator-Led EIN: 41-4298581 Bridging Knowledge. Building Futures.
TKGE Logo
The Knowledge Gap Experience, Inc.
Bridging Knowledge  ◆  Building Futures  ◆  Changing Lives
501(c)(3) Nonprofit  |  Hampton Roads, Virginia  |  EIN: 41-4298581
Youth Education Donor-Funded Hampton Roads
The Problem We Are Solving

The Numbers Don't Lie

The reading comprehension crisis is real. In Hampton Roads, it is personal. These are our children.

0
%
of 4th graders read below proficiency nationwide (NAEP 2022)
0
x
more likely to drop out if not reading proficiently by 3rd grade
33
%
of reading comprehension explained by background knowledge alone
30
M
more words heard by age 3 in higher-income vs lower-income homes
Students reading below grade level — Hampton Roads58%
Virginia Department of Education Standards of Learning data
Achievement gap: Black vs. White 4th graders (NAEP)26 pts
A persistent gap that real-world learning directly addresses
TKGE Impact — PALS rates after Dr. Baughans' intervention33%→22%
Documented outcome at Hampton City Schools, grades K–3
TKGE students gaining 20+ vocabulary words per cycleTarget: 80%
Measured through pre/post assessments every program cycle
Teacher and student connection

Every child deserves to see the world their textbooks describe. That is not enrichment. That is the foundation.

Dr. K. Baughans — Founder
Donor Funded Program Hampton Roads, VA Ages 9–13

"Every child deserves to experience the world their textbooks describe. That experience is not enrichment. It is the foundation of academic understanding."

Dr. K. Baughans — Founder & President

Our Mission

Closing the Gap Between
Reading and Reality

For over 20 years, Dr. K. Baughans watched capable, hardworking children fall behind — not because they could not learn, but because they had never been anywhere. Background knowledge is the primary driver of reading comprehension. We close that gap.

Experience First
Students see the world before they read about it.
Educator Led
Licensed Virginia educators at every session.
Donor Funded
Transport, admissions, materials — all covered.
Community Rooted
Built in Hampton Roads, for Hampton Roads.
Students at farmers market
Field Trip
Explore
Garden learning
Hands-On Science
STEM
Virginia Air and Space
Awe & Wonder
STEM
Science exhibit
Discovery
Discover
The Program

How It Works

A deliberate structure that builds the background knowledge making reading comprehension possible. Subjects: STEM, History, Literature, and Science.

01
Research & Prepare

Students spend two days in guided research and vocabulary work before each outing. They arrive equipped with context and language.

02
Experience It

Every Wednesday, students visit museums, landmarks, STEM centers, cultural institutions, and civic spaces across Hampton Roads.

03
Connect & Reflect

Thursday is reflection day — students connect what they experienced to academic reading and writing.

04
Build All Year

15 excursions — summer immersion and school-year extension with weekly sessions and monthly Saturday outings.

Monday
Introduction
Topic intro, big ideas, vocabulary framing.
Tuesday
Research & Prep
Deep reading and preparation for the outing.
Wednesday
Field Experience
The outing. The world the text describes — lived.
Thursday
Reflect & Write
Students connect experience to reading and writing.
Friday
Family Resources
Optional family connection resources.
Summer
4-Week Immersion
Mon–Thu · 8AM–Noon
Year-Round
School-Year Extension
Weekly + Monthly
15
Excursions
All Subject Areas
10–15
Students Per Cohort
Intentionally Small
$0
Program Cost —
Donor Funded
TKGE students on outing
The TKGE Experience

Where Every Wednesday
Changes Everything

Students don't just read about the world — they live it first. Museums, STEM centers, cultural landmarks, and civic spaces across Hampton Roads, every week — programming fully funded by our donors.

Our Founder

Built by Someone Who Has Spent
Over 20 Years Working to Solve It

Dr. K. Baughans built this organization from over 20 years of direct classroom experience in Hampton Roads — watching capable, motivated students fall behind in reading comprehension not from lack of ability, but from lack of exposure.

ED.D
Ed.D. in Reading & Literacy
Doctoral expertise in reading, literacy, and exactly the problem TKGE was built to solve
LIC
Virginia Postgraduate Professional License
Secondary English · Reading Specialist · Admin & Supervision PreK–12
VET
United States Army Veteran
Service before education — and service through it
AWD
Prior Grants Secured
Walmart Community Reading Grant · Hampton Education Foundation Grant
NSU
Professor, Norfolk State University
Continuing to teach while building what comes next
33%→22%
PALS identification rates reduced at Hampton City Schools, grades K–3, through targeted literacy strategies
Over
20
Years in Hampton Roads classrooms
$0
Program cost — transport, admissions & materials covered
0
Real-world outings per program year
9–13
Age range served — 5th through 8th grade
10–15
Students per cohort — small by design
Dr. K. Baughans speaking
Founder & President
Dr. Kimberlyn Baughans

20+ Years
Building What Matters

Virginia educator. Army Veteran. Doctoral literacy specialist. Dr. Baughans has spent over two decades in Hampton Roads classrooms watching capable students fall behind — not from lack of ability, but from lack of exposure. TKGE is her answer.

Ed.D. Literacy Specialist Army Veteran 501(c)(3) Founder
Our Team

The People Behind
The Knowledge Gap Experience

Educators, leaders, and community builders committed to closing the gap — one Wednesday at a time.

Dr. K. Baughans
Founder & President
Dr. K. Baughans
Ed.D. · Army Veteran · Literacy Specialist

Dr. Kimberlyn C. Baughans is an Army veteran, reading specialist, and founder of The Knowledge Gap Experience Inc, a nonprofit dedicated to closing achievement gaps through literacy, exposure, and experiences. With more than 20 years of experience in education, she has served students across diverse backgrounds, developing innovative programs that strengthen reading comprehension, academic achievement, and real-world learning. Her work is driven by a passion for educational equity and a commitment to ensuring that all children — regardless of socioeconomic circumstances — have access to the experiences and knowledge needed to succeed.

20+ Years Teaching Hampton Roads
Paula J. Lynch
Treasurer
Paula J. Lynch
Community Leader · Financial Oversight

Community leader and dedicated advocate for accessible services in Hampton Roads, bringing financial oversight and organizational strength to TKGE.

Hampton Roads Nonprofit Finance
Olivia Baughans
Secretary
Olivia Baughans
Secretary · TKGE Team

Liv Baughans is a dedicated educator, community advocate, and proud Newport News/Hampton native. A product of Hampton City Schools and an alumna of Norfolk State University, she has spent six years serving as a secondary English teacher and inspiring students through education and literacy. As Secretary of The Knowledge Gap Experience, she supports initiatives focused on empowering children and strengthening the community. Through her passion for service and leadership, she remains committed to helping children, corporations, and communities progress and thrive.

Hampton Roads TKGE Team
Who We Serve

There is a parent doing everything right — working, providing, signing every reading log. What no one has told them is that a Saturday at a museum carries as much academic weight as any school supply they have ever bought.

Dr. K. Baughans coined "The Giving Parent" after over 20 years in Hampton Roads classrooms

Students from Underserved Households

Families for whom enrichment experiences are genuinely out of reach. TKGE removes every barrier — programming is donor-funded and every student is welcome.

Children of Giving Parents

Families who provide everything they know to provide but haven't been told that experiential exposure is the academic foundation. These children fall through every crack silently. TKGE was built for them too.

TKGE In Action

What Learning Looks Like

Classroom
Dr. Baughans in classroom
Literacy in Action
Outing
Classroom teaching
Field Experience
STEM
Virginia Air and Space Center
Discovery Moments
Community
Kids at farmers market
Hands-On Learning
Partnership Opportunity
Use your facility as a place of growth, learning, and real community impact. Partner with TKGE to pour into young people and support Hampton Roads families.
Morning programming space — Monday through Thursday, 8AM to noon
Transportation, materials, and coordination fully provided by TKGE
No cost to families — all programming fully funded through donations and partnerships
All educators licensed, trained, and background-checked
Community Partnership

Partner With Us

TKGE is seeking a church or community facility to serve as the home for its summer program. This partnership places your space at the center of real academic transformation in Hampton Roads.

Youth Development
Directly invests in the academic futures of children in your congregation
Family Engagement
Draws families into your space through a meaningful, trusted, donor-funded program
Community Impact
Your church as a place where learning and opportunity come together
No Cost to Your Church
TKGE handles all programming, staffing, transportation, and materials
Explore a PartnershipPay Registration Fee →
Event Recap

Bridge the Gap

Hundreds of moments, dozens of families, one Saturday in Hampton Roads. Thank you to everyone who showed up, played, ate, and believed in what we're building. This is what community looks like.

Support the Work

Every dollar funds real outings for real children
$25FriendStudent program materials
$50BuilderOne full outing admission
$150Outing SponsorYour name on a TKGE excursion
$500ChampionOne student's full program year
$1,000CorporatePresenting sponsor recognition
Donate Now — Give Securely Become an In-Kind Donor
Join the Program

Enroll Your Child

The Knowledge Gap Experience serves students ages 9 to 13 in Hampton Roads. All are welcome — every family is welcome.

Ages
9 to 13
5th through 8th grade — students ready to explore, research, and grow.
Schedule
Mon – Thu
8:00 AM to noon during summer. One day per week and one Saturday per month during the school year.
Covered
By Our Donors
Transportation, admissions, and all program materials are fully funded through donations. Families are only responsible for a one-time $100 registration fee upon acceptance.

A $100 registration fee is required upon acceptance — covers program t-shirt, lanyard, and snacks · Program t-shirt required on Wednesdays · Consistent attendance required for field trip participation · Medical information provided at enrollment

Apply Now
Summer 2026

Registration Fee Payment

Accepted students are required to submit a one-time registration fee to confirm their spot in the program. Payment is only required after official acceptance.

👕
Program T-Shirt

Official TKGE shirt worn every Wednesday

🪪
Program Lanyard

Official TKGE ID lanyard for all program activities

🍎
Snacks

Nutritious snacks provided for every session

One-Time Fee
$100
Per child · Due upon acceptance · Summer 2026
Pay Registration Fee →

Secure payment via Zeffy · No fees charged to families

🔒
You will not be charged until your child is officially accepted.
Submitting an application does not trigger payment. The $100 registration fee is only due after TKGE contacts you with an official acceptance notification.

Only students who have received an official acceptance notification should submit payment. Questions? Contact us at kcbaughans@theknowledgegapexperience.org

Student Enrollment

Child Registration Application

Complete the form below to apply for The Knowledge Gap Experience program. All fields marked with an asterisk are required. A member of our team will follow up within 48 hours of submission.

Ages 9 to 13 $100 Registration Upon Acceptance Hampton Roads, VA
1
Student Information
2
Parent / Guardian Information
3
Emergency Contacts & Authorized Pick-Up

Emergency Contact 1

Emergency Contact 2

4
Health & Safety Information
5
Academic Information
6
Consents & Agreements

A member of the TKGE team will contact you within 48 hours to confirm your child's enrollment status.

Get in Touch

Let's Connect

Whether you are a parent, a donor, a church partner, or a community advocate — we want to hear from you.

Phone
757-929-1044
Email
kcbaughans@theknowledgegapexperience.org
Office
739 Thimble Shoals Blvd, Bldg 700, Suite 704, Newport News, VA 23606
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Send Us a Message

Tell us who you are and how you want to be involved. We will respond within 48 hours.