LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Five-year-old Harry Brewer Junior is in good company.

He's joined by his father and grandfather who are excited about cheering him on as he gets to ready to navigate the challenges kindergarten can sometimes offer.

“I told him listen to the teachers don't try to teach because he's a know it all type individual but just be excited meet new friends, learn how learn how socialize, learn how to block out distractions and pay attention," Harry Brewer said. 

Sound advice.

But before the first day, Harry and hundreds of other students across the district are participating in “Camp Ready 4-K” for three weeks.

As many parents know, kindergarten is not what it used to be.

The days of being a school just a few hours, naps, and snacks are long gone.

But some students seem to be getting a head start at Duvall Education Center.

 “I’d take any one of these kids  in my kindergarten classroom  today,” Karen Stone said. 

Students are required to have a general understanding of numbers and the alphabet.

But teachers like Karen Stone also like to make sure learning is something that her students can enjoy. 

“We also use tools  that might viewed as toys in order to help them learn like play-doh, you know it helps my students who may not have a fine pencil grip for writing be able to pinch off and get themselves ready for holding a pencil. So they view it as playing but it very much helps them acquire skills they need to move to the next level," Stone said. 

“Camp Ready 4-K” is now in its fourth year.

Principal Brian Clark says he looks forward to it each summer so that students can hit the ground running on the first day… and avoid the “summer slide.”

That’s when kids forget some of their lessons in the weeks off.

“It gives them the leg up that they need that sometimes they are missing and so we try to make that bridge for them and try to help as best as possible just have that child ready on the first day and confident and wanting to learn and the key loving to learn,” Clark said. 

Back in the classroom… Harry already seems memorized by his love of critters.

His dad knows are these first steps and even though it's hard to let him go he's optimistic about what the future holds.

“More than proud of Harry can't say it with words, wish I had a brand new word to make up how proud I am," Brewer said.