Summer Learning

As spring gives way to summer, many afterschool programs here and across the nation are morphing into summer learning programs. And just as they do in the afternoons during the school year, these programs keep kids safe, inspire them to learn, and help working families.

They do it by using the afterschool formula for hands-on, experiential learning. Working with community partners, programs give kids access to opportunities and experiences they might not otherwise have. Some give kids the opportunity to design and build robots or cars, for example. Others focus on the arts, letting kids dance and sing their way through the dog days of summer. Our program in New Mexico offers an opportunity for kids to engage is recreational activities at local community centers and read throughout the summer months at local libraries. 

Researchers tell us programs like these help combat kids' "summer learning loss." That's absolutely true, but we're careful to make sure we don't program out the fun!

This fall, as part of the looming budget fight, Congress will decide whether to expand, maintain, reduce or divert 21st Century Community Learning Centers initiative funds, which in the past have supported afterschool and summer programs that offer the kinds of engaging learning opportunities not available during the regular school day. Such debates usually end up focusing on numbers. But when it comes to afterschool and summer learning programs, it's our kids and their education that'll be at stake.

The author is an Afterschool Ambassador for the Afterschool Alliance.